Monday
At work until 3.00 and then down to Greenock for the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda at 4.00. No evening commitments.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a presentation on school attainment at 3.00 and the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee at 4.00. No evening commitments again.
Wednesday
Only meeting is the Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
At work all day and then attending the Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association at 7.00.
Friday
Another full day at work with no evening commitments.
Sunday 30 October 2011
Thursday 27 October 2011
Kilmacolm and Quarrier's update...
Unfortunately due to technical problems my November column for The Advertizer has not been published, so I have reproduced it below.
On Thursday 6 October I had the enormous privilege to cut the first sod to mark the site start on the Council’s new £44m shared school campus in upper Port Glasgow. The campus will be home to Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools and a new special needs school to replace Glen burn and Lilybank Schools
Also on 6 October I had the honour of speaking and presenting the awards at the St Stephen’s High School Awards’ Ceremony. The following week I also attended the Port Glasgow High School Awards’ Ceremony. Both were fantastic occasions and I was delighted by the support shown to the schools by the local community.
On 10 October I attended a meeting of Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership and was very impressed by the commitment of the new committee members. As a local Councillor – and a parent of two children at the school – I am keen to support the parent body and the school in whatever way I can.
On 25 October the Council’s Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee allocated the additional £1m of roads funding approved in the previous month by the Policy & Resources Committee. I am pleased to report that a number of local roads – Whitelea Road Finlaystone Road
This year’s Christmas lights switch-ons – always great occasions for our communities - will take place on Friday 2 December. The event in Kilmacolm (venue still to be confirmed at the time of writing) will kick off at 6.00 p.m., while the Quarrier’s event will commence at 7.00 p.m. at Quarriers’ HQ. A busy night for Santa!
My surgeries this month are on Tuesday 15 November, 6.00 – 7.00 p.m., in St Francis Primary School, and on Monday 28 November, 6.00 – 7.00 p.m., in Kilmacolm Community Centre.
You can also contact me directly to discuss any matters that are of concern to you, by telephone on 01475 712020 (during office hours) and 871368 (home), or by email to Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Update on proposed Boglestone play facilities...
Design work has been completed on the proposed new play facilities at Boglestone in Port Glasgow. A copy of the site layout is shown below.
It is proposed to complete the project in a number of phases as funding becomes available. Phase 1 comprises of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), similar to the one in Birkmyre Park in Kilmacolm, and a play area. Phase 2 comprises of a tarmac footpath leading from the adjacent subway to the play area and MUGA and phase 3 is a large aerial swing.
The funding in place (£182,000) will allow phase 1 to proceed while phases 2 and 3 will require additional funding.
Council Officers will now progress a planning application for the development. Assuming permission is obtained work could start on the MUGA and play area in January and be completed in March/April 2012.
Sunday 23 October 2011
The week ahead...
I had a week away with the family last week but it is back to business as usual this week:
Monday
At work until lunch-time. In the early afternoon I have a meeting with the Council's adviser on the Chief Executive's mid-year appraisal review followed by a meeting of the Audit Committee at 3.00. At 4.00 I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and at 6.00 I have a surgery in Boglestone Community Centre.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon and then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee at 4.30. In the evening I hope to attend the inaugural meeting of the new Kilmacolm Community Council.
Wednesday
At work until lunch-time followed by meetings in Greenock at 2.00 (Chief Executive's mid year appraisal review), 4.30 (Administration Group) and 5.30 (Labour Group).
Thursday
At work in the morning then down to Greenock for the Regeneration Committee at 3.00 before returning to work in the evening for a Committee meeting.
Friday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a meeting of the Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party.
Monday
At work until lunch-time. In the early afternoon I have a meeting with the Council's adviser on the Chief Executive's mid-year appraisal review followed by a meeting of the Audit Committee at 3.00. At 4.00 I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and at 6.00 I have a surgery in Boglestone Community Centre.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon and then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee at 4.30. In the evening I hope to attend the inaugural meeting of the new Kilmacolm Community Council.
Wednesday
At work until lunch-time followed by meetings in Greenock at 2.00 (Chief Executive's mid year appraisal review), 4.30 (Administration Group) and 5.30 (Labour Group).
Thursday
At work in the morning then down to Greenock for the Regeneration Committee at 3.00 before returning to work in the evening for a Committee meeting.
Friday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a meeting of the Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Apply now for local grants...
Voluntary groups in Inverclyde have three weeks to apply for a share of £120,530 from Inverclyde Council.
The Grants to Voluntary Organisations Fund is aimed at helping groups cover a variety of expenses including running costs, developing or starting up a new project and buying equipment.
Applications are available to download from the Council’s website www.inverclyde.gov.uk , from Safer & Inclusive Communities, 40 West Stewart Street, Greenock PA14 1YA, by emailing safer.communities@inverclyde.gov.uk or by calling 01475 714 298.
The week ahead...
Monday
At work until 3.00 then down to Greenock for a visit to a local business. I have a surgery at 6.00 in Park Farm Community Hall and then hope to catch part of a meeting of Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership.
Tuesday
At work until 3.00 and then down to Greenock for the Regeneration Committee Pre-agenda at 4.00, followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. In the evening I am due to attend the annual general meeting of Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Wednesday
At work until 1.00. I then have meetings in Greenock at 2.00 (a briefing for Port Glasgow Councillors on the draft proposals for the town centre), 4.30 (Administration Group) and 5.30 (Labour Group). Later in the evening I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Annual Awards' Ceremony.
Thursday
At work all day until around 7.00.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the evening I have a meeting of Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party.
At work until 3.00 then down to Greenock for a visit to a local business. I have a surgery at 6.00 in Park Farm Community Hall and then hope to catch part of a meeting of Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership.
Tuesday
At work until 3.00 and then down to Greenock for the Regeneration Committee Pre-agenda at 4.00, followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. In the evening I am due to attend the annual general meeting of Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Wednesday
At work until 1.00. I then have meetings in Greenock at 2.00 (a briefing for Port Glasgow Councillors on the draft proposals for the town centre), 4.30 (Administration Group) and 5.30 (Labour Group). Later in the evening I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Annual Awards' Ceremony.
Thursday
At work all day until around 7.00.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the evening I have a meeting of Inverclyde Constituency Labour Party.
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Setting the record straight...
On Sunday morning I received an email from a journalist at The Herald asking me to respond to comments from Willie Rennie, Leader of the Scottish Lib Dems, and Ciano Rebecchi, an Inverclyde Lib Dem Councillor, on the issues with the Council's new operating model.
Articles appeared in the The Herald and Evening Times today based around these comments.
I thought it would be helpful to set out below the full responses that I gave to the comments attributed to Mr Rennie and Councillor Rebecchi.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:
"The loss from the Future Operating Model Project is a big chunk of Inverclyde Councils budget at a time when money is tight.
"There is a question of political accountability. When a project that is designed to save money ends up costing local taxpayers someone must take responsibility and I want to see a thorough investigation into this failed venture."
Council Leader Stephen McCabe said: "The failings identified in late 2010 in the Council's proposed new operating model were the subject of a thorough and lengthy internal investigation. The outcome of that investigation was considered by an independent person appointed by the Council. The Council's cross-party Human Resources Appeals Board is currently considering a serious of appeals by officers against disciplinary action.
"Since the start of the investigation the Council's independent external auditors, Audit Scotland, have been kept appraised of developments. Following the conclusion of the appeals process the Chief Executive will submit a detailed report to the Council, which will provide all members with the opportunity to hold the Chief Executive to account for the failings in the implementation of the new operating model. Members will also receive a report from the Council's external auditors as part of the Annual Report to Members."
Rebecchi. "We want a full investigation into the role of PWC and what justified the substantial sums paid to them. Members have to fully investigate the contribution by John Mundell to these very serious problems and the public is entitled to ask why nothing has been done to progress the scheme since January.
"There is also the issue of political accountability and there's no doubt the leader at the time, Stephen McCabe, had fallen asleep on his watch. Both now need to consider their positions."
Council Leader Stephen McCabe said: "The role of PWC will be addressed in the Chief Executive's report to the full Council. This report will provide members with the opportunity to hold the Chief Executive to account."
"While I don't mind Councillor Rebecchi calling for my resignation - that's politics after all - it is wholly inappropriate for an elected member to call publicly for the resignation of any Council employee, no matter how senior. As a long-serving Councillor, Ciano Rebecchi he is only too aware of how such matters should be handled."
"With regard to my own position: there is absolutely no reason for me to resign. As soon as the short-fall in the operating model savings was brought to my attention I arranged for all members to be briefed and instructed officers to bring forward alternative savings proposals to balance the Council's budget.
Throughout the development and implementation the operating model there was an appropriate level of political oversight and scrutiny. There has been no failure of leadership on my part."
The comments attributed to me in both articles was "There is absolutely no reason for me to resign".
I will leave to you to judge the quality of the journalism.
The reports were also factually inaccurate in a number of respects but hey when did the facts ever get in the way of a good story.
Articles appeared in the The Herald and Evening Times today based around these comments.
I thought it would be helpful to set out below the full responses that I gave to the comments attributed to Mr Rennie and Councillor Rebecchi.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP said:
"The loss from the Future Operating Model Project is a big chunk of Inverclyde Councils budget at a time when money is tight.
"There is a question of political accountability. When a project that is designed to save money ends up costing local taxpayers someone must take responsibility and I want to see a thorough investigation into this failed venture."
Council Leader Stephen McCabe said: "The failings identified in late 2010 in the Council's proposed new operating model were the subject of a thorough and lengthy internal investigation. The outcome of that investigation was considered by an independent person appointed by the Council. The Council's cross-party Human Resources Appeals Board is currently considering a serious of appeals by officers against disciplinary action.
"Since the start of the investigation the Council's independent external auditors, Audit Scotland, have been kept appraised of developments. Following the conclusion of the appeals process the Chief Executive will submit a detailed report to the Council, which will provide all members with the opportunity to hold the Chief Executive to account for the failings in the implementation of the new operating model. Members will also receive a report from the Council's external auditors as part of the Annual Report to Members."
Rebecchi. "We want a full investigation into the role of PWC and what justified the substantial sums paid to them. Members have to fully investigate the contribution by John Mundell to these very serious problems and the public is entitled to ask why nothing has been done to progress the scheme since January.
"There is also the issue of political accountability and there's no doubt the leader at the time, Stephen McCabe, had fallen asleep on his watch. Both now need to consider their positions."
Council Leader Stephen McCabe said: "The role of PWC will be addressed in the Chief Executive's report to the full Council. This report will provide members with the opportunity to hold the Chief Executive to account."
"While I don't mind Councillor Rebecchi calling for my resignation - that's politics after all - it is wholly inappropriate for an elected member to call publicly for the resignation of any Council employee, no matter how senior. As a long-serving Councillor, Ciano Rebecchi he is only too aware of how such matters should be handled."
"With regard to my own position: there is absolutely no reason for me to resign. As soon as the short-fall in the operating model savings was brought to my attention I arranged for all members to be briefed and instructed officers to bring forward alternative savings proposals to balance the Council's budget.
Throughout the development and implementation the operating model there was an appropriate level of political oversight and scrutiny. There has been no failure of leadership on my part."
The comments attributed to me in both articles was "There is absolutely no reason for me to resign".
I will leave to you to judge the quality of the journalism.
The reports were also factually inaccurate in a number of respects but hey when did the facts ever get in the way of a good story.
Sunday 2 October 2011
The week ahead...
Monday
In the morning I am going through to Motherwell for a meeting of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership Leaders' and Chief Executives' Forum to discuss the way forward on shared services. In the afternoon I am due to chair a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board. Before and after the meeting in Motherwell I will be spending a couple of hours at work.
Tuesday
I will be at work for most of the day. In the late afternoon I will be going down to Greenock for a meeting with the Gibshill Residents' Association and my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive.
Wednesday
I will be at work until 2.00 before going down to Greenock for weekly meetings of the Administration Group and Labour Group.
Thursday
At work until 1.00 before going down to Port Glasgow for an event to mark a site start on the new shared campus. At 4.00 I will be attending a meeting of the Full Council. In the evening I am speaking at the St Stephen's High School Awards Ceremony.
Friday
At work all day. In the evening I am attending the Provost's Charity Ball in Greenock Town Hall.
In the morning I am going through to Motherwell for a meeting of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership Leaders' and Chief Executives' Forum to discuss the way forward on shared services. In the afternoon I am due to chair a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board. Before and after the meeting in Motherwell I will be spending a couple of hours at work.
Tuesday
I will be at work for most of the day. In the late afternoon I will be going down to Greenock for a meeting with the Gibshill Residents' Association and my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive.
Wednesday
I will be at work until 2.00 before going down to Greenock for weekly meetings of the Administration Group and Labour Group.
Thursday
At work until 1.00 before going down to Port Glasgow for an event to mark a site start on the new shared campus. At 4.00 I will be attending a meeting of the Full Council. In the evening I am speaking at the St Stephen's High School Awards Ceremony.
Friday
At work all day. In the evening I am attending the Provost's Charity Ball in Greenock Town Hall.
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