I chaired a meeting of the Council's Shared Campus Working Group tonight.
Prior to the start of the meeting members of the group were given a tour of St Stephen's to see the work that was carried out over the summer in preparation for the temporary shared campus from August next year. The work included the reinstatement of science and technical classrooms, the relocation of the St Stephen's Music Department to new accommodation and the creation of a new fitness room with changing accommodation. The members of the group seemed impressed by the quality of the work carried out.
During the meeting we were given an update on the design of the new shared campus. In the next couple of months feedback will be provided to stakeholders on the first round of consultation that took place before the summer and further input sought to help inform development of the detailed design. Again members of the working group were impressed by what they saw and heard.
The next meeting of the group is on 25 October.
Monday 30 August 2010
Sunday 29 August 2010
The week ahead...
A busy and varied week ahead:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Briefing meeting with Officers
6.30 Chairing a meeting of the Port Glasgow Shared Campus Working Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
11.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
12.30 Meeting with Heritage Lottery
3.00 Meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee
5.00 Briefing meeting with Officers
6.45 Chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group (depending on when this finishes, I may pop into a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council on the way home)
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Meeting of the Kelburn Action Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of the Regeneration Committee
5.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Briefing meeting with Officers
6.30 Chairing a meeting of the Port Glasgow Shared Campus Working Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
11.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
12.30 Meeting with Heritage Lottery
3.00 Meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee
5.00 Briefing meeting with Officers
6.45 Chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group (depending on when this finishes, I may pop into a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council on the way home)
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Meeting of the Kelburn Action Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of the Regeneration Committee
5.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
Friday 27 August 2010
A load of baloney!
I see that SNP List MSP Stuart McMillan is at it again today in his column in The Greenock Telegraph.
Our Stuart claims that opposition parties want the Council Tax freeze ended so that "they can start to charge householders even more money for local services". What a load of baloney!
The reality is that Councillors from across the political spectrum - including SNP Councillors - know that the Council Tax freeze is not sustainable. This is a view backed by the Scottish Government's own Independent Budget Review.
The debate is whether it ends in 2011/12 - just before the Scottish Parliament Election - or in 2012/13 i.e. it is not a matter of if but a matter of when. There are no prizes for guessing why Stuart and his SNP colleagues would like another year of the freeze.
Far from wanting to charge more for services, those who are calling for an end to the freeze believe this is necessary so that Councils can sustain services that they would otherwise have to cut or stop altogether.
While Stuart might want to play the blame game, those of us who have a real job and real responsibility are having to deal with a financial crisis. If Stuart is under any illusion about the extent of this crisis perhaps he should have a word with the SNP Councillors who voted for a two year pay freeze for local government workers at the CoSLA Leaders' meeting today, arguing that the choice was between a pay increase and cuts in jobs and services.
Equally there is a choice between a Council Tax freeze and cuts in jobs and services.
Those, like Stuart, who argue for a continuation of the Council Tax freeze have a duty to tell us what jobs and services we should be cutting to pay for it.
I won't hold my breath.
Our Stuart claims that opposition parties want the Council Tax freeze ended so that "they can start to charge householders even more money for local services". What a load of baloney!
The reality is that Councillors from across the political spectrum - including SNP Councillors - know that the Council Tax freeze is not sustainable. This is a view backed by the Scottish Government's own Independent Budget Review.
The debate is whether it ends in 2011/12 - just before the Scottish Parliament Election - or in 2012/13 i.e. it is not a matter of if but a matter of when. There are no prizes for guessing why Stuart and his SNP colleagues would like another year of the freeze.
Far from wanting to charge more for services, those who are calling for an end to the freeze believe this is necessary so that Councils can sustain services that they would otherwise have to cut or stop altogether.
While Stuart might want to play the blame game, those of us who have a real job and real responsibility are having to deal with a financial crisis. If Stuart is under any illusion about the extent of this crisis perhaps he should have a word with the SNP Councillors who voted for a two year pay freeze for local government workers at the CoSLA Leaders' meeting today, arguing that the choice was between a pay increase and cuts in jobs and services.
Equally there is a choice between a Council Tax freeze and cuts in jobs and services.
Those, like Stuart, who argue for a continuation of the Council Tax freeze have a duty to tell us what jobs and services we should be cutting to pay for it.
I won't hold my breath.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Major investment in play areas proposed
Next week's Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee will be asked to consider proposals for major investment in play area provision across Inverclyde totalling over £600,000.
One of the projects under consideration is a proposal for a new play area and multi-use games area on land adjacent to Boglestone Community Centre, in my own ward. This is a project that I have been keen to see get the go ahead for some time as it is a central location for much of upper Port Glasgow, where play areas are in short supply.
The report is proposing that the Council approves in principle a contribution of £100,000, with the local Three Wards Community Council looking to match fund this from other sources.
If approved, the Council contribution should hopefully assist the Community Council attract other funding, meaning that a better facility can be developed for the benefit of the children and young people of the area.
One of the projects under consideration is a proposal for a new play area and multi-use games area on land adjacent to Boglestone Community Centre, in my own ward. This is a project that I have been keen to see get the go ahead for some time as it is a central location for much of upper Port Glasgow, where play areas are in short supply.
The report is proposing that the Council approves in principle a contribution of £100,000, with the local Three Wards Community Council looking to match fund this from other sources.
If approved, the Council contribution should hopefully assist the Community Council attract other funding, meaning that a better facility can be developed for the benefit of the children and young people of the area.
Sunday 22 August 2010
The week ahead...
Monday
Working all day. In the evening I have a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group at 5.30 and hope to attend the St Francis Primary School Parent Council AGM at 7.00 if the Task Group is over on time. Unfortunately I will miss the Port Glasgow High School Parent Council AGM at 6.30.
Tuesday
Again working all day. In the evening I have a surgery at 6.30 in Kilmacolm Community Centre. Depending on family commitments, I might make it along to the Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association after my surgery.
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
7.00 AGM of Boglestone Community Association. Unfortunately I will miss a meeting of Newark Primary School Parent Council at 6.30.
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Meeting with Inverclyde Women's Aid
3.00 Meeting of the Health & Social Care Committee
5.00 Leave Greenock to return to work in Glasgow for a Committee meeting
8.00 Leave work to return home
Friday
7.00 Leave home to travel to Edinburgh (stopping off at work in Glasgow on the way)
9.30 Meeting of the COSLA Labour Group
12.00 COSLA Leaders' meeting
1.30 Leave Edinburgh
3.00 Start work in Glasgow
5.00 Leave work to return home
Working all day. In the evening I have a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group at 5.30 and hope to attend the St Francis Primary School Parent Council AGM at 7.00 if the Task Group is over on time. Unfortunately I will miss the Port Glasgow High School Parent Council AGM at 6.30.
Tuesday
Again working all day. In the evening I have a surgery at 6.30 in Kilmacolm Community Centre. Depending on family commitments, I might make it along to the Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association after my surgery.
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
7.00 AGM of Boglestone Community Association. Unfortunately I will miss a meeting of Newark Primary School Parent Council at 6.30.
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Meeting with Inverclyde Women's Aid
3.00 Meeting of the Health & Social Care Committee
5.00 Leave Greenock to return to work in Glasgow for a Committee meeting
8.00 Leave work to return home
Friday
7.00 Leave home to travel to Edinburgh (stopping off at work in Glasgow on the way)
9.30 Meeting of the COSLA Labour Group
12.00 COSLA Leaders' meeting
1.30 Leave Edinburgh
3.00 Start work in Glasgow
5.00 Leave work to return home
Saturday 21 August 2010
Register to vote now!
Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board, which manages electoral registration in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, has just commenced its annual canvass to update the register.
Many people are under the impression that because they were on the register last year they automatically remain on it. This is not the case. Each year we are required to make a return to ensure that the register is up to date.
Registration forms will be dropping through letter boxes shortly and it is crucial that householders check the details on their form and return it as soon as possible.
In fact this year it is even more crucial given the plans of the Con-Dem Coalition to cut the number of seats in the House of Commons by 50 and equalise the size of parliamentary constituencies to approximately 75,000 registered voters, based on the electoral registers at 1 December 2010. If we want to maximise the number of constituencies in Scotland we have to maximise registration this year.
At yesterday's meeting of the Valuation Board in Greenock I was able to persuade the Board of the particular importance of maximising registration this year, with the result that the Registration Officer was given authority to commit additional resources to employ more door to door canvassers.
Hopefully this will result in a higher level of registration than otherwise would have been the case.
I would also hope that our local newspaper - The Greenock Telegraph - could run a campaign to maximise local voter registration since Inverclyde is the type of area where there is a high number of people not registered to vote.
Many people are under the impression that because they were on the register last year they automatically remain on it. This is not the case. Each year we are required to make a return to ensure that the register is up to date.
Registration forms will be dropping through letter boxes shortly and it is crucial that householders check the details on their form and return it as soon as possible.
In fact this year it is even more crucial given the plans of the Con-Dem Coalition to cut the number of seats in the House of Commons by 50 and equalise the size of parliamentary constituencies to approximately 75,000 registered voters, based on the electoral registers at 1 December 2010. If we want to maximise the number of constituencies in Scotland we have to maximise registration this year.
At yesterday's meeting of the Valuation Board in Greenock I was able to persuade the Board of the particular importance of maximising registration this year, with the result that the Registration Officer was given authority to commit additional resources to employ more door to door canvassers.
Hopefully this will result in a higher level of registration than otherwise would have been the case.
I would also hope that our local newspaper - The Greenock Telegraph - could run a campaign to maximise local voter registration since Inverclyde is the type of area where there is a high number of people not registered to vote.
Thursday 19 August 2010
Prison deal is good news
On Tuesday the Council's Policy and Resources Committee approved in principle the sale of the site for the new £60 million prison, HMP Inverclyde.
Subject to agreement being reached on a number of detailed matters and the granting of planning consent the Scottish Prison Service will acquire the former Greenock High and Glenburn Schools for the new facility which is part of the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan.
This is good news for Inverclyde and will bring jobs and investment to the area, as well as safeguarding existing jobs. We have worked very closely with the Scottish Prison Service to identify a suitable site and I am pleased that we have reached agreement.
This decision might also give some reassurance to sceptics who have been suspicious that the Council had a secret plan to leave St Columba's High School permanently in its temporary home at the former Greenock High School, reneging on our promise to provide a new St Columba's at the Gourock High School site. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Providing a new home for St Columba's and the shared campus in Port Glasgow are the top political priorities of my administration. Despite the financial challenges we face as a result of anticipated government funding cuts we remain absolutely committed to delivering these projects.
Subject to agreement being reached on a number of detailed matters and the granting of planning consent the Scottish Prison Service will acquire the former Greenock High and Glenburn Schools for the new facility which is part of the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan.
This is good news for Inverclyde and will bring jobs and investment to the area, as well as safeguarding existing jobs. We have worked very closely with the Scottish Prison Service to identify a suitable site and I am pleased that we have reached agreement.
This decision might also give some reassurance to sceptics who have been suspicious that the Council had a secret plan to leave St Columba's High School permanently in its temporary home at the former Greenock High School, reneging on our promise to provide a new St Columba's at the Gourock High School site. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Providing a new home for St Columba's and the shared campus in Port Glasgow are the top political priorities of my administration. Despite the financial challenges we face as a result of anticipated government funding cuts we remain absolutely committed to delivering these projects.
Tuesday 17 August 2010
New Library for Kilmacolm
As a Ward Councillor, I am pleased to report that the Council's Policy & Resources Committee today agreed to advertise a contract for the internal design and fit out of the new Kilmacolm Library at a cost of £100,000.
The Library will be located in the former school board building currently being refurbished as part of the contract for the new Kilmacolm Community Centre in the adjacent former Kilmacolm Primary School.
The new Library, which should be open by April next year, will be a major improvement on the current library room located in the existing Community Centre. It will house around 5,000 books, CDs and DVDs; 8 public access PCs; a children's library; a relaxed seating area with coffee machine; and space for organised activities for children and a book group. The new library will have full disabled access; accessible public toilet facilities; and adjacent car parking.
I am sure that this investment by the Council will be warmly welcomed by Library users in the village.
The Library will be located in the former school board building currently being refurbished as part of the contract for the new Kilmacolm Community Centre in the adjacent former Kilmacolm Primary School.
The new Library, which should be open by April next year, will be a major improvement on the current library room located in the existing Community Centre. It will house around 5,000 books, CDs and DVDs; 8 public access PCs; a children's library; a relaxed seating area with coffee machine; and space for organised activities for children and a book group. The new library will have full disabled access; accessible public toilet facilities; and adjacent car parking.
I am sure that this investment by the Council will be warmly welcomed by Library users in the village.
Sunday 15 August 2010
The week ahead...
Monday
Off all day to watch the kids as my school teacher wife is returning to work after being on holiday for 7 weeks! No evening commitments.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Attending a Members' training session
3.00 Chairing a special meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee. No evening commitments.
Wednesday
9.00 Start work in Glasgow (in a bit later today so that I can see the kids off to school on their first day back, with my son Ronan starting secondary school)
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Meeting with officers
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group. No evening commitments.
Thursday
8.30 Meeting in Greenock with the Chairperson and Chief Executive of River Clyde Homes, along with the Council's Chief Executive
10.30 Start work in Glasgow. Working until around 7.00 as attending the Association's AGM.
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Attending a meeting of the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
3.00 Photograph with Riverside Inverclyde
6.30 Attending 'The Recruit' in Greenock Town Hall
Off all day to watch the kids as my school teacher wife is returning to work after being on holiday for 7 weeks! No evening commitments.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Attending a Members' training session
3.00 Chairing a special meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee. No evening commitments.
Wednesday
9.00 Start work in Glasgow (in a bit later today so that I can see the kids off to school on their first day back, with my son Ronan starting secondary school)
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Meeting with officers
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group. No evening commitments.
Thursday
8.30 Meeting in Greenock with the Chairperson and Chief Executive of River Clyde Homes, along with the Council's Chief Executive
10.30 Start work in Glasgow. Working until around 7.00 as attending the Association's AGM.
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Attending a meeting of the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
3.00 Photograph with Riverside Inverclyde
6.30 Attending 'The Recruit' in Greenock Town Hall
Friday 13 August 2010
Holyrood message
I see that in his 'Holyrood message' in today's Greenock Telegraph our esteemed SNP list MSP blames "the dreadful mismanagement of the UK public finances by the previous Labour Government" for the impending reductions in public expenditure.
It beats me why the Telegraph allows Mr McMillan this platform to attack his political opponents. Why can't he, like other mere mortals, have to rely on press releases or, dare I say it, a blog for this?
That having been said, he is of course, as usual, talking claptrap.
As far as I know Labour was not in charge of the Greek, Spanish, Portuguese or Irish economies during the past couple of years, all of which have experienced significant economic difficulties and cuts in public expenditure. Nor was Labour in charge of the economic superpower that is the United States of America, which is going through very similar problems to the UK.
It is also worth reminding Mr McMillan that only a matter of 3 months ago his party's assertion that Labour was to blame for all our economic woes was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters of Inverclyde who returned David Cairns to Westminster with a resounding and increased majority.
I don't recall when the Labour Government was bailing out both The Bank of Scotland and The Royal Bank of Scotland with billions of pounds of taxpayers money Mr McMillan saying that they should have been left to collapse.
I don't recall when the Labour Government was borrowing billions of pounds to keep the UK economy afloat and people in jobs Mr McMillan saying that they shouldn't be doing that. Indeed the SNP were actually arguing for more money to be spent to boost the economy.
I also have to laugh when I hear people like Mr McMillan arguing that if the Scottish Parliament had greater control over taxation everything would be alright.
It seems to escape their notice that the Scottish Parliament has had the power to vary - increase or reduce - the basic rate of income tax since it was established in 1999 and never used it. Perhaps they should use the powers they have before asking for more.
Ironically at the same time as calling for more tax powers for the Scottish Parliament our Parliamentarians have effectively removed tax powers from local government by introducing a nationally set uniform business rate and imposing a Council Tax freeze.
So much for parity of esteem.
It beats me why the Telegraph allows Mr McMillan this platform to attack his political opponents. Why can't he, like other mere mortals, have to rely on press releases or, dare I say it, a blog for this?
That having been said, he is of course, as usual, talking claptrap.
As far as I know Labour was not in charge of the Greek, Spanish, Portuguese or Irish economies during the past couple of years, all of which have experienced significant economic difficulties and cuts in public expenditure. Nor was Labour in charge of the economic superpower that is the United States of America, which is going through very similar problems to the UK.
It is also worth reminding Mr McMillan that only a matter of 3 months ago his party's assertion that Labour was to blame for all our economic woes was overwhelmingly rejected by the voters of Inverclyde who returned David Cairns to Westminster with a resounding and increased majority.
I don't recall when the Labour Government was bailing out both The Bank of Scotland and The Royal Bank of Scotland with billions of pounds of taxpayers money Mr McMillan saying that they should have been left to collapse.
I don't recall when the Labour Government was borrowing billions of pounds to keep the UK economy afloat and people in jobs Mr McMillan saying that they shouldn't be doing that. Indeed the SNP were actually arguing for more money to be spent to boost the economy.
I also have to laugh when I hear people like Mr McMillan arguing that if the Scottish Parliament had greater control over taxation everything would be alright.
It seems to escape their notice that the Scottish Parliament has had the power to vary - increase or reduce - the basic rate of income tax since it was established in 1999 and never used it. Perhaps they should use the powers they have before asking for more.
Ironically at the same time as calling for more tax powers for the Scottish Parliament our Parliamentarians have effectively removed tax powers from local government by introducing a nationally set uniform business rate and imposing a Council Tax freeze.
So much for parity of esteem.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
No black hole
I thought that the Greenock Telegraph's coverage of the Council's financial challenges was on the whole fair and well-balanced.
One point I would take issue with however is the statement that there is "a huge black hole" in the Council's finances.
There is no such black hole. Indeed we actually budgeted for a surplus in the current financial year.
The savings target that has been identified is based on anticipated reductions in our funding from the Scottish Government over the next few years. Rather than waiting for official confirmation of these reductions - which won't be received until towards the end of this year - we are acting now to give us as much time as possible to manage the required reductions in the Council's expenditure.
The challenges faced by Inverclyde are no different from those faced by the other 31 local authorities in Scotland.
We rely on the Scottish Government for the vast majority of our income. With this funding due to be reduced we have no option but to cut our cloth accordingly since we are legally obliged to produce a balanced budget.
One point I would take issue with however is the statement that there is "a huge black hole" in the Council's finances.
There is no such black hole. Indeed we actually budgeted for a surplus in the current financial year.
The savings target that has been identified is based on anticipated reductions in our funding from the Scottish Government over the next few years. Rather than waiting for official confirmation of these reductions - which won't be received until towards the end of this year - we are acting now to give us as much time as possible to manage the required reductions in the Council's expenditure.
The challenges faced by Inverclyde are no different from those faced by the other 31 local authorities in Scotland.
We rely on the Scottish Government for the vast majority of our income. With this funding due to be reduced we have no option but to cut our cloth accordingly since we are legally obliged to produce a balanced budget.
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Battle of the heavyweights
I see that a couple of political heavyweights - the Tories' Scottish Leader Annabel Goldie and the SNP's Derek Mackay, who is Leader of Renfrewshire Council - are looking to become my MSP by standing for the new seat of Renfrewshire North & West, which incorporates Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village.
Annabel's motto is clearly "if at first you don't succeed...". I suspect however that she will once again have to rely on the Regional List to get elected, unless of course we see a dramatic rise in Tory support before next May.
The strongest challenge to Labour will most likely come from the SNP, although Derek Mackay's decision to cut school transport in parts of the constituency could come back to haunt him.
I will of course be backing Labour Candidate Stuart Clark. I have known Stuart for a number of years and I am convinced he would make an excellent MSP and a worthy successor to the retiring MSP Trish Godman.
Annabel's motto is clearly "if at first you don't succeed...". I suspect however that she will once again have to rely on the Regional List to get elected, unless of course we see a dramatic rise in Tory support before next May.
The strongest challenge to Labour will most likely come from the SNP, although Derek Mackay's decision to cut school transport in parts of the constituency could come back to haunt him.
I will of course be backing Labour Candidate Stuart Clark. I have known Stuart for a number of years and I am convinced he would make an excellent MSP and a worthy successor to the retiring MSP Trish Godman.
Parklea Planning Application Submitted
I am delighted to see that Council Officers have submitted a planning application for the proposed new £4.5m community stadium at Parklea, which will incorporate spectator seating for 200, new changing accommodation and a second 3G pitch. This is another important step towards our goal of making Parklea a centre of excellence for football.
Work is due to start on the stadium in April 2011. It will provide a new home for Port Glasgow Juniors and be available for use by the wider community.
Work is due to start on the stadium in April 2011. It will provide a new home for Port Glasgow Juniors and be available for use by the wider community.
Sunday 8 August 2010
The week ahead...
Another relatively quiet week meeting wise:
Monday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock (stopping off in Port Glasgow for a personal appointment on the way)
4.00 Meeting with Officers
6.00 Surgery at Boglestone Community Centre
7.00 I have the choice of 3 meetings to attend - Three Wards Community Council; Park Farm Residents' Association; and Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board - not an unusual occurrence for a large multi-member ward
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Meeting with Officers
4.30 Weekly meeting of Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Monday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock (stopping off in Port Glasgow for a personal appointment on the way)
4.00 Meeting with Officers
6.00 Surgery at Boglestone Community Centre
7.00 I have the choice of 3 meetings to attend - Three Wards Community Council; Park Farm Residents' Association; and Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board - not an unusual occurrence for a large multi-member ward
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Meeting with Officers
4.30 Weekly meeting of Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Thursday 5 August 2010
Proud to live in Inverclyde
Following the outcry over a Russian journalist's less than flattering opinion column on Greenock it was good to see today's Greenock Telegraph portray a very different picture of Inverclyde and Greenock in particular.
The positive news included:
Record exam results
A house price boom
Investment in our town centres
Volunteers raising money for good causes
The national success of our Schools' Junior Choir
Recognition of the wonderful work of the local hospice
The young and not so young enjoying the Council's free swimming initiative.
The only negative story I noticed was Greenock Juniors beating Port Glasgow Juniors!
Having been born in Inverclyde and lived here all my life, I am never embarrassed to tell people where I come from. Like other places, we have our challenges, but I for one would never want to live anywhere else. Inverclyde is my home and I am proud to live here.
The positive news included:
Record exam results
A house price boom
Investment in our town centres
Volunteers raising money for good causes
The national success of our Schools' Junior Choir
Recognition of the wonderful work of the local hospice
The young and not so young enjoying the Council's free swimming initiative.
The only negative story I noticed was Greenock Juniors beating Port Glasgow Juniors!
Having been born in Inverclyde and lived here all my life, I am never embarrassed to tell people where I come from. Like other places, we have our challenges, but I for one would never want to live anywhere else. Inverclyde is my home and I am proud to live here.
Monday 2 August 2010
Just when you thought it could not get any worse...
...for the Liberal Democrats in Inverclyde, long serving Councillor George White has resigned from the party. The gang of four has become the gang of three, with Liberal Democrats on the Council now outnumbered by the 'Others'.
How they must long for the heady days of 2003 when they swept to power with 13 out of 20 Councillors. Where did it all go wrong?
While I have a lot of time for George - we have always had a good personal relationship - I would be surprised if his constituents are not now questioning his commitment to Inverclyde, and Gourock in particular, given how desperate he seems to be to stand in Argyll and Bute. Can we assume that if he is unsuccessful in being elected to the Scottish Parliament next year, he will be moving to Argyll so that he can stand for the Council there in 2012?
George's defection to the Scottish Liberal Party raises once again the morality of someone being elected on the ticket of one party switching parties during a term without resigning and seeking the endorsement of the electorate. I am sure that some of George's more vocal constituents will have a view on this.
It also makes the Council even more 'interesting' in terms of political balance. Long gone are the days of two-party politics, with the Council now being made up of 8 Labour Councillors, 5 SNP, 3 Lib Dems, 1 Conservative, 1 Scottish Liberal Party, 1 Independent (ex Labour) and 1 truly Independent.
Bring back first past the post: all is forgiven!
How they must long for the heady days of 2003 when they swept to power with 13 out of 20 Councillors. Where did it all go wrong?
While I have a lot of time for George - we have always had a good personal relationship - I would be surprised if his constituents are not now questioning his commitment to Inverclyde, and Gourock in particular, given how desperate he seems to be to stand in Argyll and Bute. Can we assume that if he is unsuccessful in being elected to the Scottish Parliament next year, he will be moving to Argyll so that he can stand for the Council there in 2012?
George's defection to the Scottish Liberal Party raises once again the morality of someone being elected on the ticket of one party switching parties during a term without resigning and seeking the endorsement of the electorate. I am sure that some of George's more vocal constituents will have a view on this.
It also makes the Council even more 'interesting' in terms of political balance. Long gone are the days of two-party politics, with the Council now being made up of 8 Labour Councillors, 5 SNP, 3 Lib Dems, 1 Conservative, 1 Scottish Liberal Party, 1 Independent (ex Labour) and 1 truly Independent.
Bring back first past the post: all is forgiven!
Sunday 1 August 2010
The week ahead...
A busier week as the summer recess comes to an end:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting between the Administration Group and the Council's senior officers to discuss the budget challenges we face
3.30 Pre-agenda meeting to discuss the draft agenda for a special meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee on 17 August
6.45 Chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting with Councillor David Wilson
2.oo Briefing for Elected Members on Emergency Planning
5.00 Meeting with officers
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
3.30 Meeting with officers
5.30 Meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Meeting of Kelburn Action Group
Thursday
At work all day but attending a meeting of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company in the evening
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting between the Administration Group and the Council's senior officers to discuss the budget challenges we face
3.30 Pre-agenda meeting to discuss the draft agenda for a special meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee on 17 August
6.45 Chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting with Councillor David Wilson
2.oo Briefing for Elected Members on Emergency Planning
5.00 Meeting with officers
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
3.30 Meeting with officers
5.30 Meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Meeting of Kelburn Action Group
Thursday
At work all day but attending a meeting of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company in the evening
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
A Festival of Football
I spent much of this afternoon and part of yesterday afternoon down at Parklea at the annual Port Glasgow Juniors Boys Club Football Tournament. My wife Lesley and I had been invited to present the prizes at today's event, with yesterday's prizes being presented by the Provost.
I was very impressed by how well organised and run the tournament was. It was a real festival of football, to the great credit of Club Secretary Ronnie McKay and his organising committee.
This afternoon in particular - with the sun shining - brought home to me what a fantastic setting Parklea is for football. Within the next couple of years we should have the facilities to match the setting.
I was very impressed by how well organised and run the tournament was. It was a real festival of football, to the great credit of Club Secretary Ronnie McKay and his organising committee.
This afternoon in particular - with the sun shining - brought home to me what a fantastic setting Parklea is for football. Within the next couple of years we should have the facilities to match the setting.
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