Friday 28 December 2012

New play facilities set for approval...

The Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee will be asked at its next meeting on 17 January to approve a new £175,000 skate park in Greenock's Battery Park on the site of the existing skate park. The proposal follows consultation with ward councillors, the local community council and park users. The park will be a multi-use facility catering for bmx riders and skateboarders.

The Committee previously approved a £50,000 outdoor gym in Battery Park. Members will hear that procurement of the gym is underway and it should be in place by the end of March.

The Committee will also be asked to approve a £75,000 replacement of the existing play park at Jacob's  Drive in Gourock.

These proposals are part of the Council's ongoing investment programme in new and improved outdoor play facilities and I am sure that they will be welcomed by the local communities.


Major boost for community facilities...

The Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee will be asked at its next meeting on 17 January to approve grants for community facilities totalling nearly £200,000. These are the latest awards from the Council's £1.2m Community Facilities Grant Fund.

Among the groups set to benefit are:

Glenpark Harriers Athletic Club - £10,156 for repairs to their clubhouse
Quarrier's Village Council - £41,000 to install a lift and disabled toilets in Sommerville Weir Hall
East End United Boys Club - £37,500 to convert a Council bothy at Lady Octavia Park into new changing rooms
REACH for Autism - £37,950 to refurbish premises for a new service for children with autism.

These are all worthwhile projects, which I am sure the Committee will be keen to support.

As a Councillor for Quarrier's Village I very much welcome the proposed grant to make Sommerville Weir Hall accessible to people with disabilities. This will compliment the recent refurbishment of the hall funded by Quarriers and a local benefactor, creating a community facility for the whole village.


Monday 24 December 2012

Positive note to end year on...

The final Council meeting of 2012 received a very positive report from the Council's external auditors Grant Thornton on their annual audit for financial year 2011/12.

The auditors have reported that "Overall, the Council is in good financial health" and they have recognised that good progress has been made to deliver savings through the Council's programme of efficiency workstreams.  Like the Council itself, however, Grant Thornton acknowledge the significant challenges and difficult decisions ahead due to the pressures on public finances. They are satisfied that "the Council is taking appropriate action to manage its financial position in the medium term".

The auditors' report also concludes that "Overall, the Council performs well in delivering services" and that "The Council has well-developed arrangements to monitor and report on performance". The Council's governance arrangements are considered to be generally operating well and internal controls operating effectively, with the Internal Audit section performing well.

The Council is praised for the way it has worked well with its partners through the Inverclyde Alliance to agree a shared vision for the area.

Grant Thornton confirm in their report that "there are no significant concerns relating to Inverclyde Council" and that "the Council has the capacity to achieve further service improvements".

This is very positive note to end the year on and is recognition of the excellent work going on across the Council and the professional leadership of our Chief Executive John Mundell and his management team.


Sunday 23 December 2012

The week ahead...

On holiday from work on  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Back at work on Thursday and Friday.

No Council commitments other than thinking about how to close our £4.7m budget gap over the next 3 years.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.

Sunday 16 December 2012

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting with officers followed by the Inverclyde Alliance Board. In the evening I will be chairing a budget briefing for Community Council representatives.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the local Chamber of Commerce. This is followed by a surgery then a meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council.
Wednesday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I have a meeting of the Council's Leadership Board then the Labour Group.
Thursday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a special Council meeting to discuss the budget. In the evening I am planning to attend a meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Friday
A full day at work.

Sunday 9 December 2012

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I am planning to attend the Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I hope to catch my kids school show. I have meetings in the Council at 3.00 and 4.00 and a surgery at 6.00.
Wednesday
I have an early morning meeting with Labour Council Leaders before heading to work. I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and Labour Group in the afternoon.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a Riverside Inverclyde Board meeting before heading back to work for an evening meeting.
Friday
Through at the COSLA Convention in Edinburgh most of the day.

Sunday 2 December 2012

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am paying a visit to Texas Instruments in Greenock with my colleague Michael McCormick and the Council's Head of Regeneration and Planning. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group.
Tuesday
A full day at work.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group. In the evening I have a meeting of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board.
Thursday
Another full day at work.
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be at the Council's Pride of Inverclyde Awards at Notre Dame High School in Greenock.