SOUTHSIDE Central contains what are two of the most notorious areas of the city – the Gorbals and Govanhill.

The ward also contains Toryglen, which can be slightly overshadowed by the issues of the other communities within that area’s boundaries.

With high levels of poverty, overcrowding and fly tipping, it’s easy to overlook the many positives - community spirit, excellent amenities, great transport links - that boost the area.

From the Citizen’s Theatre to Toryglen Regional Football Centre, the area is rich in sporting and artistic facilities.

Jim Monaghan is a community campaigner who works for Govanhill Community Baths Trust and has long lived in the ward. 

He said: “The best thing about Govanhill is the mix of people. You’ve got the kind of hipster artists and working class people who have been in the area for decades and migrants who have just come here.

“The diversity is not just in terms of race but also social cultures, which makes it a really interesting place to be a place that no matter what your community or culture is, whether ethnic or social, you’ll find someone like you.” 

On the other hand, Jim says poverty is a huge issue.

He said: “What I like least is the poverty, which you see in the overcrowded housing. Because of the mix of housing here being low rent, poor quality and easy to get, people who struggle to get references or deposits gravitate here and so it becomes a cycle. 

“Poverty, lack of opportunity, poor housing – everything is linked.

“People will say the problem is the Roma or landlords but the issues are linked to the same thing: poverty.”

To fix the problems in Govanhill, and the ward more widely, Jim believes a joined-up political approach is necessary.

He said: “The ward needs housing. It needs people to be serious about it.

"People use the area as a political football most of the time.

“They are happy to get their pictures taken if there’s something good happening and go tub thumping with angry people if something bad’s happening. There’s no leadership.

“When I was chair of the community council there was a very clear strategy for dealing with bed bugs, adapted from a strategy that had worked well in New York. It didn’t happen.

“We need a clear strategy of how to change things.”

Looking to the future, Jim believes things can get better.

He said: “I think they should make a priority of Govanhill and make it something that is famous.

“They have the opportunity to make it a glowing example of what you can do - it has all the ingredients necessary.

“There’s an opportunity to make it that 20 years from now people will say ‘Look at that wonderful place’.”