A varied week ahead:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.45 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Official Opening of the new All Saints Primary School in Greenock
6.30 Chairing a meeting of the Port Glasgow Shared Campus Working Group (we are due to have a first look at the initial designs for the campus)
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
4.45 Leave work to attend a meeting with the Health Board in Glasgow to discuss progress with establishing the new Community Health and Care Partnership
7.00 Meeting of the Park Farm Regeneration Steering Group
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting with The Greenock Telegraph to promote their 'Stop Knives Save Lives' sticker scheme
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to the COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Conference in St Andrews
4.30 Arrive at St Andrews
7.00 Attend the annual COSLA Excellence Awards
Friday
9.30 Meeting of the COSLA Labour Group
11.30 Meeting of the COSLA Convention
2.00 Leave St Andrews to travel home
Sunday 28 February 2010
Friday 26 February 2010
A winter we won't forget...
I have had to deal with a number of complaints over the last couple of days from constituents frustrated by the delay in their streets being attended to by the snow ploughs.
While I can understand these frustrations - my own street wasn't cleared until tonight - I have to pay tribute to the staff of the Council's Roads Service, who have again been working tirelessly to try to keep Inverclyde moving in very difficult circumstances.
Most of us - and I am no exception - find it hard to cope when our routine is upset. We are also not used to the exceptionally bad weather we have experienced this winter. I am still sore from the two hours I spent yesterday digging my car out.
Let's hope that spring is here soon!
While I can understand these frustrations - my own street wasn't cleared until tonight - I have to pay tribute to the staff of the Council's Roads Service, who have again been working tirelessly to try to keep Inverclyde moving in very difficult circumstances.
Most of us - and I am no exception - find it hard to cope when our routine is upset. We are also not used to the exceptionally bad weather we have experienced this winter. I am still sore from the two hours I spent yesterday digging my car out.
Let's hope that spring is here soon!
Thursday 25 February 2010
A day at home
What a day!
After struggling for an hour to get my car out of the street this morning I had to admit defeat and work from home today. I had my 4 kids for company as their schools were closed.
Thankfully with my laptop and broadband connection it was not a completely wasted day as I was able to work on the main task I had set myself for today.
With the rain now on and a rapid thaw taking place, hopefully we can get back to normal tomorrow. Famous last words!
After struggling for an hour to get my car out of the street this morning I had to admit defeat and work from home today. I had my 4 kids for company as their schools were closed.
Thankfully with my laptop and broadband connection it was not a completely wasted day as I was able to work on the main task I had set myself for today.
With the rain now on and a rapid thaw taking place, hopefully we can get back to normal tomorrow. Famous last words!
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Supporting good causes
I was pleased to see a number of Port Glasgow groups among those voluntary organisations to benefit from the latest round of grant awards from the Council's Grants Sub-Committee.
Port Glasgow Old Peoples' Welfare Council received £1,000 towards general running costs, which should help this important Port Glasgow institution to continue its good work.
Parklea Branching Out Project received £3,000 towards setting up a Port Glasgow in Bloom project supported by local tenants’ and residents’ associations and community councils. This project should help brighten up the town.
Slaemuir Tenants’ and Residents’ Association received £1,000 towards the cost of staging an gala day in May. I have been very impressed by commitment of this group since it was formed in 2007. The members are working hard to develop a sense of pride in their community and I am sure that the gala day will be a great success.
Port Glasgow Old Peoples' Welfare Council received £1,000 towards general running costs, which should help this important Port Glasgow institution to continue its good work.
Parklea Branching Out Project received £3,000 towards setting up a Port Glasgow in Bloom project supported by local tenants’ and residents’ associations and community councils. This project should help brighten up the town.
Slaemuir Tenants’ and Residents’ Association received £1,000 towards the cost of staging an gala day in May. I have been very impressed by commitment of this group since it was formed in 2007. The members are working hard to develop a sense of pride in their community and I am sure that the gala day will be a great success.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Peter Stanton Memorial Trust
I chaired a meeting of the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust this afternoon.
The Trust was established by an award of £10,000 from the Common Good of Inverclyde District Council in 1993, after representations from Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club to relieve the needs of disabled persons in Inverclyde District and encourage in the interests of social welfare their participation in recreational or other leisure-time activities with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Prior to his death in 1992, Peter Stanton represented his country at the paraplegic Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and was also a coach with the Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club where he passed on his experience to other disabled swimmers within Inverclyde. The Peter Stanton Memorial Trust was set up in his memory.
Although recent grants have tended to relate to sporting activities, the Trust is not restricted to sporting activities. Grants can also be made to enable disabled people to participate in non-sporting activities which would otherwise be considered to be leisure or recreational activities.
If you or your organisation wishes to apply for financial assistance, or you are aware of an organisation or person who may wish to apply for financial assistance, then application forms can be obtained by contacting: Jonathan Hamilton, Acting Honorary Secretary, Peter Stanton Memorial Trust, Municipal Buildings, Greenock, PA15 1LY. Tel: 01475 712125, e-mail jonathan.hamilton@inverclyde.gov.uk
The Trust was established by an award of £10,000 from the Common Good of Inverclyde District Council in 1993, after representations from Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club to relieve the needs of disabled persons in Inverclyde District and encourage in the interests of social welfare their participation in recreational or other leisure-time activities with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Prior to his death in 1992, Peter Stanton represented his country at the paraplegic Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and was also a coach with the Port Glasgow Otters Swimming Club where he passed on his experience to other disabled swimmers within Inverclyde. The Peter Stanton Memorial Trust was set up in his memory.
Although recent grants have tended to relate to sporting activities, the Trust is not restricted to sporting activities. Grants can also be made to enable disabled people to participate in non-sporting activities which would otherwise be considered to be leisure or recreational activities.
If you or your organisation wishes to apply for financial assistance, or you are aware of an organisation or person who may wish to apply for financial assistance, then application forms can be obtained by contacting: Jonathan Hamilton, Acting Honorary Secretary, Peter Stanton Memorial Trust, Municipal Buildings, Greenock, PA15 1LY. Tel: 01475 712125, e-mail jonathan.hamilton@inverclyde.gov.uk
Monday 22 February 2010
Telegraph Letters
I wonder if I am the only person who gets a bit annoyed when our local newspaper, The Greenock Telegraph, publishes readers' letters without the address of the correspondent or checking the factual accuracy of the content?
Today's letter from "Kenneth Shepherd, Band parent" is a case in point.
Mr Shepherd's letter is critical of the Council for allegedly not financing the schools' concert band's trip to the national concert band festival in Birmingham. He urges parents to protest to their Councillors about this.
The Telegraph might feel that there is good reason not to publish Mr Shepherd's address. Personally I can't think of one. I do know however that there is a well known political activist with the same name as Mr Shepherd, so some people might be suspicious that in fact it is the same person or a relative of that person with a political agenda. Publishing the writer's address may have clarified if this is indeed the case.
As for urging parents to protest to Councillors, I have received an assurance from the Council's Acting Director of Education, Albert Henderson, that the Council will be funding the trip to Birmingham from a fund that my Administration established to support local talented young people.
I am struggling to understand why Mr Shepherd did not contact one of the Councillors to check this out before he wrote to The Greenock Telegraph.
I am also left wondering why The Greenock Telegraph did not check with the Council that what Mr Shepherd had written was correct before publishing his letter.
In these days of email communication, responses could have been provided within a matter of hours, if not minutes.
Today's letter from "Kenneth Shepherd, Band parent" is a case in point.
Mr Shepherd's letter is critical of the Council for allegedly not financing the schools' concert band's trip to the national concert band festival in Birmingham. He urges parents to protest to their Councillors about this.
The Telegraph might feel that there is good reason not to publish Mr Shepherd's address. Personally I can't think of one. I do know however that there is a well known political activist with the same name as Mr Shepherd, so some people might be suspicious that in fact it is the same person or a relative of that person with a political agenda. Publishing the writer's address may have clarified if this is indeed the case.
As for urging parents to protest to Councillors, I have received an assurance from the Council's Acting Director of Education, Albert Henderson, that the Council will be funding the trip to Birmingham from a fund that my Administration established to support local talented young people.
I am struggling to understand why Mr Shepherd did not contact one of the Councillors to check this out before he wrote to The Greenock Telegraph.
I am also left wondering why The Greenock Telegraph did not check with the Council that what Mr Shepherd had written was correct before publishing his letter.
In these days of email communication, responses could have been provided within a matter of hours, if not minutes.
Sunday 21 February 2010
The week ahead
There are no Committee meetings this week as the new cycle starts next week, so again it is a relatively quiet week:
Monday
At work all day and no evening Council commitments (although I will still spend my usual 1-2 hours dealing with correspondence, preparing for meetings, etc)
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust (meeting should last no more than an hour, giving me time to pop home, see the family, possibly have my dinner and take my son to football training)
6.30 Surgery at Kilmacolm Community Centre
7.30 Meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Monthly meeting with Corporate Director of Regeneration & Resources
2.30 Weekly meeting with Chief Executive
5.00 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
6.30 'Tales from a Village' at Kilmacolm Primary School (this is the premier of a short film created by Primary 6 and 7 pupils, which compares Kilmacolm in the period 1945-60 with the present day)
Thursday
At work all day and no evening Council commitments
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
2.00 Visit to the Council's 'More Choices, More Chances' team at Highholm (who are working hard to ensure that school leavers go to positive destinations)
7.00 Annual General Meeting of Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party
Monday
At work all day and no evening Council commitments (although I will still spend my usual 1-2 hours dealing with correspondence, preparing for meetings, etc)
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust (meeting should last no more than an hour, giving me time to pop home, see the family, possibly have my dinner and take my son to football training)
6.30 Surgery at Kilmacolm Community Centre
7.30 Meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Monthly meeting with Corporate Director of Regeneration & Resources
2.30 Weekly meeting with Chief Executive
5.00 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
6.30 'Tales from a Village' at Kilmacolm Primary School (this is the premier of a short film created by Primary 6 and 7 pupils, which compares Kilmacolm in the period 1945-60 with the present day)
Thursday
At work all day and no evening Council commitments
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
2.00 Visit to the Council's 'More Choices, More Chances' team at Highholm (who are working hard to ensure that school leavers go to positive destinations)
7.00 Annual General Meeting of Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party
Thursday 18 February 2010
Green light for new games area
At the full Council today Councillors, sitting as the Birkmyre Trust, gave approval for the construction of a £150,000 floodlit Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm. The funding is coming from the Birkmyre Trust Fund.
The MUGA will be built on the site of the redundant tennis courts in the park. It will be able to be used for a variety of sports, including tennis, netball, basketball and football, and will enhance the existing facilities in the park.
Before work can start planning permission is required.
I know that there are concerns on the part of some local residents about the proximity of the MUGA to their houses. These concerns will require to be addressed during the planning process.
Equally I know that there are a lot of young people in the village who would welcome a MUGA.
The MUGA will be built on the site of the redundant tennis courts in the park. It will be able to be used for a variety of sports, including tennis, netball, basketball and football, and will enhance the existing facilities in the park.
Before work can start planning permission is required.
I know that there are concerns on the part of some local residents about the proximity of the MUGA to their houses. These concerns will require to be addressed during the planning process.
Equally I know that there are a lot of young people in the village who would welcome a MUGA.
SNP confusion over parking charges
At today's meeting of the full Council the SNP Group supported a motion from the Liberal Democrats that called for officers to "investigate the introduction of charged parking within Greenock Town Centre". Yet only yesterday in the Greenock Telegraph SNP Councillor Chris Osborne described the idea of charging for car parking in Greenock as "ridiculous".
Interestingly Councillor Osborne was absent from today's Council meeting. I am led to believe that he was unwell. His recovery might not be helped by the fact that his colleagues voted in favour of investigating something that he considers to be ridiculous.
Mind you I am not sure that it is as ridiculous as last week's proposal from the SNP to spend £22m of Council taxpayers money on a multi-storey car park in Cathcart Street.
Who came up with that bright idea Chris?
Interestingly Councillor Osborne was absent from today's Council meeting. I am led to believe that he was unwell. His recovery might not be helped by the fact that his colleagues voted in favour of investigating something that he considers to be ridiculous.
Mind you I am not sure that it is as ridiculous as last week's proposal from the SNP to spend £22m of Council taxpayers money on a multi-storey car park in Cathcart Street.
Who came up with that bright idea Chris?
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Play time
As part of our budget proposals last week the Administration allocated £350,000 to help fund the upgrading of existing play areas and the provision of new ones. This was in addition to the £250,000 we allocated in the current financial year.
We are the only political grouping within the Council to recognise that there is a need to invest in play area provision.
Some of the £250,000 has been used to fund new play areas in Overton in Greenock and Quarrier's Village. The balance of this funding and the new funding for 2010/11 will be available to support our new play area strategy, which will be the subject of a report to the next meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee.
As well as investing in Council owned play areas we are also looking to work with community groups and other partners to lever in external funding.
Providing our children and young people with safe, modern and interesting play areas is part of our strategy of promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
We are the only political grouping within the Council to recognise that there is a need to invest in play area provision.
Some of the £250,000 has been used to fund new play areas in Overton in Greenock and Quarrier's Village. The balance of this funding and the new funding for 2010/11 will be available to support our new play area strategy, which will be the subject of a report to the next meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee.
As well as investing in Council owned play areas we are also looking to work with community groups and other partners to lever in external funding.
Providing our children and young people with safe, modern and interesting play areas is part of our strategy of promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
Monday 15 February 2010
Comet on the move
It is good to see that the existing replica of the famous SV Comet was successfully lifted from its current position on Sunday and transferred to Ferguson's shipyard. Elements of this replica will be used in the refitting of a new model of the Comet, which will be undertaken as an employment and training project.
The project is a partnership between the Council, Inverclyde Community Development Trust and Ferguson Shipbuilders. Nine local people, who have been receiving training up till now, will be employed through the project, six of them through the new Future Jobs Fund.
It is fitting that the replica will be refitted at Fergusons, as the yard sits on the site of the yard where John Wood’s original Comet was built in 1812.
As part of the project, local schools will be involved in an arts programme to “fill the gap” left by the replica, and will also have the opportunity to get involved in heritage research projects. The whole project will also be filmed from start to finish. This project, which is anticipated to take 9 months to complete, will breathe life back into the historically significant boat, making it a potential focal point for bicentennial celebrations in 2012 and a viable attraction during The Tall Ships 2011.
As a Port Glasgow Councillor I am delighted that the Council is promoting the rebuilding of this important symbol of the Town's shipbuilding heritage and at the same time supporting our one remaining shipyard and providing training and employment opportunities for local people.
The project is a partnership between the Council, Inverclyde Community Development Trust and Ferguson Shipbuilders. Nine local people, who have been receiving training up till now, will be employed through the project, six of them through the new Future Jobs Fund.
It is fitting that the replica will be refitted at Fergusons, as the yard sits on the site of the yard where John Wood’s original Comet was built in 1812.
As part of the project, local schools will be involved in an arts programme to “fill the gap” left by the replica, and will also have the opportunity to get involved in heritage research projects. The whole project will also be filmed from start to finish. This project, which is anticipated to take 9 months to complete, will breathe life back into the historically significant boat, making it a potential focal point for bicentennial celebrations in 2012 and a viable attraction during The Tall Ships 2011.
As a Port Glasgow Councillor I am delighted that the Council is promoting the rebuilding of this important symbol of the Town's shipbuilding heritage and at the same time supporting our one remaining shipyard and providing training and employment opportunities for local people.
Sunday 14 February 2010
The week ahead
A relatively quiet week this week:
Monday
I am at work all day and I have a family commitment in the evening
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting with a number of public sector partners within the Inverclyde Alliance
6.00 Surgery at St Francis' Primary School
7.00 Meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.30 Presentation to Members from the Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures' Trust
4.00 Meeting of the Full Council
7.00 Slaemuir Tenants' & Residents' Association meeting
Friday
At work all day again.
Monday
I am at work all day and I have a family commitment in the evening
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting with a number of public sector partners within the Inverclyde Alliance
6.00 Surgery at St Francis' Primary School
7.00 Meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.30 Presentation to Members from the Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures' Trust
4.00 Meeting of the Full Council
7.00 Slaemuir Tenants' & Residents' Association meeting
Friday
At work all day again.
Friday 12 February 2010
Paying for the £22m car park
I see that our SNP Councillors are selling tickets for a fundraising ceilidh night later this month.
Maybe they should think about organising a few fundraisers to pay for the £22m multi-storey car park in Cathcart Street they proposed as part of their budget?
The only thing is, the tickets would have to cost a bit more than the £10 they are charging for the ceilidh!
Maybe they should think about organising a few fundraisers to pay for the £22m multi-storey car park in Cathcart Street they proposed as part of their budget?
The only thing is, the tickets would have to cost a bit more than the £10 they are charging for the ceilidh!
Thursday 11 February 2010
An error of judgement?
I see that SNP Depute First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has got herself in a spot of bother by making representations to the Court pleading for a convicted benefits' fraudster to be shown leniency.
The Depute First Minister's defence - backed "110 per cent" by the First Minister, Alex Salmond - is that she had a duty to make a plea to the Court on behalf of her constituent.
The constituent in question could of course also have sought help from his other elected representatives: his MP, 7 regional list MSPs, 3 or 4 Councillors , depending on the size of the Ward, and 6 MEPs.
I wonder how many of them would have considered it their duty to act in this way?
Personally I would have grave concerns about any elected representative - particularly one as senior as Ms Sturgeon - becoming involved in our independent judicial system.
I simply do not accept that Ms Sturgeon had a duty to do what she did.
What about her duty to the rest of her constituents and to the public purse?
What message does this send out about her attitude to benefits' fraud?
Sometimes politicians have to say no to our constituents.
It may not be popular with the person concerned but it is the right thing to do.
I hope my comments are not construed as a personal attack on Nicola.
I believe she has proved herself to be a very capable Minister and on the one occasion I met her I found her to be very personable.
On this matter however her judgement has been flawed.
The Depute First Minister's defence - backed "110 per cent" by the First Minister, Alex Salmond - is that she had a duty to make a plea to the Court on behalf of her constituent.
The constituent in question could of course also have sought help from his other elected representatives: his MP, 7 regional list MSPs, 3 or 4 Councillors , depending on the size of the Ward, and 6 MEPs.
I wonder how many of them would have considered it their duty to act in this way?
Personally I would have grave concerns about any elected representative - particularly one as senior as Ms Sturgeon - becoming involved in our independent judicial system.
I simply do not accept that Ms Sturgeon had a duty to do what she did.
What about her duty to the rest of her constituents and to the public purse?
What message does this send out about her attitude to benefits' fraud?
Sometimes politicians have to say no to our constituents.
It may not be popular with the person concerned but it is the right thing to do.
I hope my comments are not construed as a personal attack on Nicola.
I believe she has proved herself to be a very capable Minister and on the one occasion I met her I found her to be very personable.
On this matter however her judgement has been flawed.
The SNP's £22m car park
As part of their budget proposals earlier this week the SNP Group proposed that the Council should build a multi-storey car park in Cathcart Street at an estimated cost of £10m as their solution to parking issues in Greenock Town Centre.
I am not sure which member of the SNP Group came up with this bright idea - although I could hazard a guess - but even the Lib Dems thought it was bonkers.
Mind you I can exclusively reveal that if the SNP had got their way the actual cost of the car park to Council taxpayers could have been £22m!
Under the SNP's proposals the Council would have borrowed the £10m it would cost to build the car park and repaid it over 20 years at £800,000 a year. This gives a total funding cost of £16m (i.e £10m capital and £6m interest).
On top of that you would have to add the running costs of the car park (e.g. maintenance, staffing, cleaning, electricity). Officers have estimated these at around £300,000 a year or £6m over 20 years at today's prices (i.e. not taking into account inflation).
What about the income from parking charges I hear you ask: will that not offset the costs?
Well no, in their generosity with Council taxpayers' money the SNP were proposing to make the car park free.
Even if the Council had £1.1m a year to spare - and we don't given the estimated £28m funding gap we face over the next few years - I could think of other things I would rather spend it on, like accelerating our schools estate programme for example.
It was the great Welsh socialist Aneurin Bevan that said "politics is the language of priorities".
I am afraid that on this one the SNP Councillors have got their priorities all wrong.
I am not sure which member of the SNP Group came up with this bright idea - although I could hazard a guess - but even the Lib Dems thought it was bonkers.
Mind you I can exclusively reveal that if the SNP had got their way the actual cost of the car park to Council taxpayers could have been £22m!
Under the SNP's proposals the Council would have borrowed the £10m it would cost to build the car park and repaid it over 20 years at £800,000 a year. This gives a total funding cost of £16m (i.e £10m capital and £6m interest).
On top of that you would have to add the running costs of the car park (e.g. maintenance, staffing, cleaning, electricity). Officers have estimated these at around £300,000 a year or £6m over 20 years at today's prices (i.e. not taking into account inflation).
What about the income from parking charges I hear you ask: will that not offset the costs?
Well no, in their generosity with Council taxpayers' money the SNP were proposing to make the car park free.
Even if the Council had £1.1m a year to spare - and we don't given the estimated £28m funding gap we face over the next few years - I could think of other things I would rather spend it on, like accelerating our schools estate programme for example.
It was the great Welsh socialist Aneurin Bevan that said "politics is the language of priorities".
I am afraid that on this one the SNP Councillors have got their priorities all wrong.
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Comments welcome but mind the language!
I would like my blog to be interactive therefore I very much welcome comments and constructive feedback.
Any comments will be reviewed however before I decide if they should be published.
I have received a number of comments in the last few days that are nothing more than personal attacks on me and some of my Labour colleagues.
One SNP supporter, upset by my wee jibe at Innes Nelson, referred to me as an "*rsehole" in his comment. That type of language really is not suitable for a family blog.
Just as well I have a thick skin!
Any comments will be reviewed however before I decide if they should be published.
I have received a number of comments in the last few days that are nothing more than personal attacks on me and some of my Labour colleagues.
One SNP supporter, upset by my wee jibe at Innes Nelson, referred to me as an "*rsehole" in his comment. That type of language really is not suitable for a family blog.
Just as well I have a thick skin!
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Budget Statement to Policy & Resources Committee
Here is the statement that I made to today's special Policy & Resources Committee when successfully moving the Administration's budget proposals:
"The proposals in front of you of course build on the provisional budget that we set in February 2009, when we agreed the Council’s first two-year budget.
I am delighted to be able to announce this investment programme that will strengthen key services and directly benefit communities across Inverclyde.
Despite the major financial challenges that face the Council we have put together a package of proposals that build on the significant funding we have already allocated through our Financial Strategy to facilitate regeneration (£24m for Riverside Inverclyde over ten years), renew the entire Schools Estate (£250m through to 2023), and deliver new and refurbished leisure facilities (£22m through to 2014).
The programme contains a number of new proposals including:
An extra £800,000 spread over the next four years to increase provision of aids and adaptations, to support the elderly and vulnerable and enabling people to stay in their own homes in their local community. The total budget for 2010/11 will now be £950,000 - £460,000 more than the budget of £490,000 originally approved for 2009/10.
£225,000 to provide five additional Primary 1 to 3 teachers in primary schools that serve the most deprived communities, to increase the standard clothing grant and expand the successful breakfast clubs initiative to ensure that an increasing number of children get a better start in life.
£105,000 to improve access to leisure facilities and community facilities for young people and uniformed organisations, promoting and supporting the valuable role played by community and voluntary groups in Inverclyde.
£350,000 to significantly improve play area provision across Inverclyde, investing in new and replacing damaged equipment and ensuring that there is a minimum standard across the area – this funding is in addition to the £250,000 allocated as part of the 2009/2010 Budget.
An initial allocation of £500,000 to pump prime projects that will help address some of the flooding problems that have affected the area recently, informed by a detailed multi agency action plan that will be produced later this year. I am hopeful that we can secure match funding from the Scottish Government to augment this allocation.
Significant one-off investment (£400,000) to repair damage caused to roads and footpaths by the recent severe weather conditions – this is in addition to the extra £200,000 already allocated from the 2009/2010 Budget agreed by Policy & Resources Committee on 2 February 2010.
£750,000 to establish a Challenge Fund that will enable local communities that have already secured funding for community facilities from other sources to seek additional support from the Council.
Increase annual funding for Riverside Inverclyde by £487,000 to £2.1m in 2010/11 to strengthen the ability of the area to respond to the challenges of the Economic Downturn.
The decision to set a detailed two year budget in February 2009 has enabled us to avoid some of the challenging issues facing other Councils – it has meant that through effective financial management, and a focus on identifying efficiencies, we have been able to maintain investment in key services.
Our priority in this Budget has been to sustain the positive programme of change which is transforming Inverclyde and ensure that the Council and the communities of Inverclyde can continue to move forward with confidence.
As we all know however, we will face extremely challenging decisions over the next few years as we seek to deliver £28m in savings. That is why it was essential that in addition to investing in key services we also approve a range of activity by officers over the next year to identify savings opportunities that will help the Council make real progress towards delivering this target.
I have to say that I am a bit disappointed – although not surprised – by the decision of the two main opposition groups to decline my offer of discussions on the budget to see if we could find common ground.
I really don’t think you had anything to lose by meeting with me.
It is a pity that the opposition parties within this Council were not prepared to show the same courtesy to the Administration as the opposition parties within the Scottish Parliament showed to the minority SNP Government.
That’s politics however and even without your input I am still confident that we have developed a package of proposals that will be welcomed by the people of Inverclyde."
"The proposals in front of you of course build on the provisional budget that we set in February 2009, when we agreed the Council’s first two-year budget.
I am delighted to be able to announce this investment programme that will strengthen key services and directly benefit communities across Inverclyde.
Despite the major financial challenges that face the Council we have put together a package of proposals that build on the significant funding we have already allocated through our Financial Strategy to facilitate regeneration (£24m for Riverside Inverclyde over ten years), renew the entire Schools Estate (£250m through to 2023), and deliver new and refurbished leisure facilities (£22m through to 2014).
The programme contains a number of new proposals including:
An extra £800,000 spread over the next four years to increase provision of aids and adaptations, to support the elderly and vulnerable and enabling people to stay in their own homes in their local community. The total budget for 2010/11 will now be £950,000 - £460,000 more than the budget of £490,000 originally approved for 2009/10.
£225,000 to provide five additional Primary 1 to 3 teachers in primary schools that serve the most deprived communities, to increase the standard clothing grant and expand the successful breakfast clubs initiative to ensure that an increasing number of children get a better start in life.
£105,000 to improve access to leisure facilities and community facilities for young people and uniformed organisations, promoting and supporting the valuable role played by community and voluntary groups in Inverclyde.
£350,000 to significantly improve play area provision across Inverclyde, investing in new and replacing damaged equipment and ensuring that there is a minimum standard across the area – this funding is in addition to the £250,000 allocated as part of the 2009/2010 Budget.
An initial allocation of £500,000 to pump prime projects that will help address some of the flooding problems that have affected the area recently, informed by a detailed multi agency action plan that will be produced later this year. I am hopeful that we can secure match funding from the Scottish Government to augment this allocation.
Significant one-off investment (£400,000) to repair damage caused to roads and footpaths by the recent severe weather conditions – this is in addition to the extra £200,000 already allocated from the 2009/2010 Budget agreed by Policy & Resources Committee on 2 February 2010.
£750,000 to establish a Challenge Fund that will enable local communities that have already secured funding for community facilities from other sources to seek additional support from the Council.
Increase annual funding for Riverside Inverclyde by £487,000 to £2.1m in 2010/11 to strengthen the ability of the area to respond to the challenges of the Economic Downturn.
The decision to set a detailed two year budget in February 2009 has enabled us to avoid some of the challenging issues facing other Councils – it has meant that through effective financial management, and a focus on identifying efficiencies, we have been able to maintain investment in key services.
Our priority in this Budget has been to sustain the positive programme of change which is transforming Inverclyde and ensure that the Council and the communities of Inverclyde can continue to move forward with confidence.
As we all know however, we will face extremely challenging decisions over the next few years as we seek to deliver £28m in savings. That is why it was essential that in addition to investing in key services we also approve a range of activity by officers over the next year to identify savings opportunities that will help the Council make real progress towards delivering this target.
I have to say that I am a bit disappointed – although not surprised – by the decision of the two main opposition groups to decline my offer of discussions on the budget to see if we could find common ground.
I really don’t think you had anything to lose by meeting with me.
It is a pity that the opposition parties within this Council were not prepared to show the same courtesy to the Administration as the opposition parties within the Scottish Parliament showed to the minority SNP Government.
That’s politics however and even without your input I am still confident that we have developed a package of proposals that will be welcomed by the people of Inverclyde."
Monday 8 February 2010
£500,000 to tackle flooding problems
At tomorrow's special Policy & Resources Committee I will be proposing that we allocate £500,000 to help address some of the flooding issues that we have in Inverclyde during periods of heavy rain.
The Council and its partners are currently developing a detailed flood action plan, which should be ready before the summer. This funding will assist in implementing some of the priority measures within the plan.
I am hopeful that we will be able to secure match funding from the Scottish Government to augment the Council's funding commitment.
The Council and its partners are currently developing a detailed flood action plan, which should be ready before the summer. This funding will assist in implementing some of the priority measures within the plan.
I am hopeful that we will be able to secure match funding from the Scottish Government to augment the Council's funding commitment.
Sunday 7 February 2010
The week ahead
It is a big week this week with the Council's Budget for 2010/11 up for discussion on Tuesday:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting with Inverclyde Council on Disability (we meet every 6 months to discuss a range of issues)
4.00 Briefing from the Scottish Prison Service on their search for a site for the new HMP Inverclyde
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive (this usually takes place on Wednesday)
3.00 Pre-agenda meeting for the Council meeting on 18 February (the Provost and myself meeting with officers to agree the agenda)
4.00 Special meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee to consider the Council's Revenue Budget for 2010/11 and Capital Programme for 2010-14
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
A rare day off to watch the kids who are off school
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Council's Education Catering Working Group, which is considering how we can improve the uptake of school meals (having 4 children at school I volunteered to join the group)
7.00 Mass at St Francis' Church to mark Catholic Education Week
Friday
At work in Glasgow all day
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting with Inverclyde Council on Disability (we meet every 6 months to discuss a range of issues)
4.00 Briefing from the Scottish Prison Service on their search for a site for the new HMP Inverclyde
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive (this usually takes place on Wednesday)
3.00 Pre-agenda meeting for the Council meeting on 18 February (the Provost and myself meeting with officers to agree the agenda)
4.00 Special meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee to consider the Council's Revenue Budget for 2010/11 and Capital Programme for 2010-14
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
A rare day off to watch the kids who are off school
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Council's Education Catering Working Group, which is considering how we can improve the uptake of school meals (having 4 children at school I volunteered to join the group)
7.00 Mass at St Francis' Church to mark Catholic Education Week
Friday
At work in Glasgow all day
Saturday 6 February 2010
Council to increase funding to Riverside Inverclyde
At a special meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee on Tuesday I will be proposing that the Council increases its funding for our Urban Regeneration Company, Riverside Inverclyde, by £487,000 more in 2010/11 than we previously agreed in February 2009 when we set the 2010/11 budget. This will bring the Council's total contribution to RI in 2010/11 to £2.1m.
This additional funding for RI should strengthen the ability of the area to respond to the challenges of the economic downturn and I am sure will be very much welcomed by Bill Nicol and his team. It has been made possible by our effective financial management of the Council and our focus on identifying efficiencies.
To date the Council has allocated funding of just under £9m to RI out of our total commitment of £24m by 2017.
This additional funding for RI should strengthen the ability of the area to respond to the challenges of the economic downturn and I am sure will be very much welcomed by Bill Nicol and his team. It has been made possible by our effective financial management of the Council and our focus on identifying efficiencies.
To date the Council has allocated funding of just under £9m to RI out of our total commitment of £24m by 2017.
The meteoric rise of Innes Nelson
I see that the local SNP have chosen Councillor Innes Nelson as their candidate for this year's General Election.
I have to say that I am a bit surprised by this decision. After all Innes has hardly been a Councillor for five minutes and a member of the SNP for ten.
Either he has hidden depths that I have yet to discover or the SNP were really struggling to find someone to stand against sitting Labour MP David Cairns.
While not complacent - you can never take voters for granted - I am quietly confident that Innes won't be swapping the Council Chamber for the House of Commons.
Mind you he certainly has had a meteoric rise.
I wonder what's next for him?
Will he stand for the Scottish Parliament next year against Duncan McNeil?
Will he be looking to replace Jim MacLeod as the SNP's Group Leader?
I suspect that Jim has a bit more to be worried about than Duncan!
I have to say that I am a bit surprised by this decision. After all Innes has hardly been a Councillor for five minutes and a member of the SNP for ten.
Either he has hidden depths that I have yet to discover or the SNP were really struggling to find someone to stand against sitting Labour MP David Cairns.
While not complacent - you can never take voters for granted - I am quietly confident that Innes won't be swapping the Council Chamber for the House of Commons.
Mind you he certainly has had a meteoric rise.
I wonder what's next for him?
Will he stand for the Scottish Parliament next year against Duncan McNeil?
Will he be looking to replace Jim MacLeod as the SNP's Group Leader?
I suspect that Jim has a bit more to be worried about than Duncan!
Friday 5 February 2010
New schools have wow factor
I had the opportunity to look around Inverclyde's latest new schools this afternoon when I toured the new All Saints and Aileymill Primary Schools.
While they are not quite finished -the contractor is working flat out to have both schools ready for opening on 16 February - it was very evident that they are going to be fantastic facilities to work and learn in.
These two schools are part of the Council's Public Private Partnership project, which also includes the new Notre Dame High School and Clydeview Academy.
PPP is not without its critics and over the years that the Council has been developing its schools estates strategy Labour Councillors have been attacked by other parties for being prepared to support the use of PPP. We have always argued that as long as it represents best value to the Council taxpayers of Inverclyde, PPP had a role to play in helping us deliver the best possible learning environment for our young people.
When I see these new schools I know that the criticism - and on occasion abuse - we faced has been worth it.
While they are not quite finished -the contractor is working flat out to have both schools ready for opening on 16 February - it was very evident that they are going to be fantastic facilities to work and learn in.
These two schools are part of the Council's Public Private Partnership project, which also includes the new Notre Dame High School and Clydeview Academy.
PPP is not without its critics and over the years that the Council has been developing its schools estates strategy Labour Councillors have been attacked by other parties for being prepared to support the use of PPP. We have always argued that as long as it represents best value to the Council taxpayers of Inverclyde, PPP had a role to play in helping us deliver the best possible learning environment for our young people.
When I see these new schools I know that the criticism - and on occasion abuse - we faced has been worth it.
Thursday 4 February 2010
Population projections
I see that the Registrar General for Scotland is projecting that Inverclyde's population will decrease by around one fifth by 2033.
This prediction underlines the scale of the challenge that the Council and our partners in the Inverclyde Alliance face if we are to achieve our objective of stabilising the area's population.
Making Inverclyde an attractive place to live is central to our social and economic regeneration strategy. We want to retain the people we have and at the same time attract new residents from other places.
Equally we want to tackle poverty and health inequalities that contribute to too many Inverclyde residents dying prematurely.
This prediction underlines the scale of the challenge that the Council and our partners in the Inverclyde Alliance face if we are to achieve our objective of stabilising the area's population.
Making Inverclyde an attractive place to live is central to our social and economic regeneration strategy. We want to retain the people we have and at the same time attract new residents from other places.
Equally we want to tackle poverty and health inequalities that contribute to too many Inverclyde residents dying prematurely.
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Parklea pitch given planning permission
I was absolutely delighted to hear that the Council's proposed new 3G synthetic pitch at Parklea received planning permission at today's meeting of the Planning Board.
The £640,000 pitch is the first phase of an overall development costing £6.4m, which will also see the construction of a new community stadium incorporating changing accommodation and the upgrading of 8 grass pitches, making Parklea one of the best football centres in the country.
The £640,000 pitch is the first phase of an overall development costing £6.4m, which will also see the construction of a new community stadium incorporating changing accommodation and the upgrading of 8 grass pitches, making Parklea one of the best football centres in the country.
Port Town Centre plans moving ahead
I had a sneak preview of plans to improve Port Glasgow Town Centre today when I met with Geoff Gregory of Riverside Inverclyde who is overseeing their implementation.
The plans include the upgrading of the main entrance to the Town Centre off the A8; deep clean power washing to remove graffiti, moss, etc; new signage and shop fronts; enhancements to visually prominent buildings, such as stone cleaning, painting and improved lighting; and various other landscape works.
The total cost of the proposals is £970,000, funded from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund (£600,000), Riverside Inverclyde (£270,000) and the Council (£100,000).
Riverside Inverclyde will be consulting with the local Traders' Association and the Community Council before finalising the plans. Work should hopefully start within the next couple of months and be completed by the summer.
The plans include the upgrading of the main entrance to the Town Centre off the A8; deep clean power washing to remove graffiti, moss, etc; new signage and shop fronts; enhancements to visually prominent buildings, such as stone cleaning, painting and improved lighting; and various other landscape works.
The total cost of the proposals is £970,000, funded from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund (£600,000), Riverside Inverclyde (£270,000) and the Council (£100,000).
Riverside Inverclyde will be consulting with the local Traders' Association and the Community Council before finalising the plans. Work should hopefully start within the next couple of months and be completed by the summer.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
Funding for pothole repairs
The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee today agreed to pump an extra £200,000 into emergency pothole and pavement repairs.
The money will allow roads teams to act now to tackle damage caused by the exceptionally cold winter weather over the past couple of months.
We felt that it was important we acted quickly to minimise what potentially could be a major issue for drivers and pedestrians.
The money will come from the Council’s Insurance Fund and will be spent before the end of March.
The money will allow roads teams to act now to tackle damage caused by the exceptionally cold winter weather over the past couple of months.
We felt that it was important we acted quickly to minimise what potentially could be a major issue for drivers and pedestrians.
The money will come from the Council’s Insurance Fund and will be spent before the end of March.
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