Concerns that proposed parliamentary boundary changes are a “precursor to the removal of East Renfrewshire Council” have been branded “scaremongering”.
Councillors across the political spectrum agreed planned Scottish Parliament constituency alterations are “not acceptable” and called for an inquiry to find a “better solution”.
However, they disagreed on the risks created by the proposals, with Cllr Gordon Wallace, Conservative, raising concerns for the future of the local authority.
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Under initial plans from Boundaries Scotland, an independent body funded by the Scottish Government, for Scottish Parliament constituencies, the current Eastwood seat would be replaced.
A new Glasgow Priesthill and Giffnock constituency would include Giffnock, Thornliebank, Clarkston and Busby as well as Carnwadric, Kennishead and Priesthill.
Changes to the current Renfrewshire South seat boundaries would see Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor joined by Newton Mearns South, Eaglesham, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch and an area of south-west Paisley.
Johnstone, Elderslie, Howwood and Newton Mearns North would remain part of Renfrewshire South.
Cllr Wallace suggested the proposed changes are “really a precursor to the removal of East Renfrewshire Council as a standalone authority”.
“The concern here is on the Eastwood side we have a relatively very affluent side of the authority and on the other side, perhaps a more challenged area,” he added.
“The great thing about East Renfrewshire is we’ve taken all the strengths of that relative prosperity and managed to invest in areas where there have been difficulties, Barrhead being a prime example.
“If we lose East Renfrewshire, many of these areas that have seen this great investment will go way down the ladder in terms of priorities.”
Glasgow would be “rubbing their hands with glee” if areas such as Giffnock and Thornliebank were “hived off” into the city, he said.
“I’m not suggesting that’s a bad thing as far as Glasgow is concerned, but as far as the residents of East Renfrewshire and our more challenged communities are concerned, it’s a big, big minus.”
In response, council chief executive Lorraine McMillan said: “This is only at the moment about the Scottish parliamentary constituencies. Although people may be concerned it could lead further, the consultation is strictly on that.
“I think behind it is getting electoral parity and getting constituencies of the same size.”
Cllr Tony Buchanan, the SNP group leader, said: “This isn’t about threats or scaremongering. It’s simply following procedure. That procedure being that the Boundary Commission is required to review the set boundaries.”
He added it is “reasonable that we ask them to review that to make sure they have got the numbers right and if there are any alternatives, but it’s not about scaremongering that East Renfrewshire will no longer exist”.
Cllr David Macdonald, an independent councillor, said the proposals were “purely about redressing boundary lines” and potentially to “create future constituencies that represent a larger kaleidoscope of economic demographic within them”.
“There has been a lot of scaremongering on social media by certain politicians out there who are using words like ‘Eastwood becoming part of Glasgow’. I think it’s disappointing to see because clearly the motivations to do this are political.”
Council leader Owen O’Donnell, Labour, said he was “disappointed this debate has become quite political” when previously all groups had been “supportive” of work to create a response which was “not political, was very practical and thinking about solutions”.
Councillors agreed to the response unanimously at a full council meeting on Wednesday night. It suggested scrapping the new constituency, retaining or amending the Eastwood seat and making revisions to Renfrewshire South.
The response also called for a local inquiry to “establish if there is a better boundary configuration”. Changes are set to come in for the next Scottish Parliament election which is expected to be in May 2026.
East Renfrewshire’s response stated the planned “significant change” is “not acceptable” as it “does not recognise the local authority area” and “does not relate to local ties”
