Martin O’Neill

Martin is co-founder and chairperson of Thorniewood Community Council, holding this position since its’ inception in October 2019. Along with former Secretary, Joe Budd, Martin set out to make a difference in the community after being disenchanted with the lack of involvement with local politics, depravation in the community and reduction in services in Viewpark, where he lives, by North Lanarkshire Council.

The first steps came when Martin started the Facebook ground “Save Viewpark Gardens” and arranged and Chaired a public meeting in Summer of 2019 held in Burnhead Community Centre which was well attended by the public. A steering group was borne of that meeting and after 9 months of organising, planning and visiting potential Community Councillors in the ward to fill a petition to start a Community Council, an inaugural meeting was held in Viewpark Community Facility in October 2019 and Thorniewood Community Council was born.

Martin is currently a girls football coach and Club Development Officer for Coatbridge Rovers FC and is a mature student at City of Glasgow College studying Sports Coaching and Development and also has his Youth and Adult Coaching SFA Badges.