Monday
In the late afternoon I am chairing the Appointment Panel for the post of Corporate Director Education, Communities and Organisational Development. This meeting is to shortlist candidates for interview.
Tuesday
In late morning I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive followed in the afternoon by a Policy & Resources Committee Pre-agenda meeting. I am also due to meet with SNP Holyrood hopeful Ian McDougall who wants to share with me his ideas for boosting Inverclyde's economy and population.
Wednesday
The Administration Group is meeting with the Council's Corporate Management Team to discuss future priorities for most of the day. In late afternoon I have the weekly meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
No Council commitments at this time.
Friday
No Council commitments at this time.
Sunday 26 July 2015
Saturday 25 July 2015
Elizabeth gets negative...
I was really disappointed to read in today's Greenock Telegraph SNP Holyrood hopeful Elizabeth Robertson's personal attack on retiring Labour MSP Duncan McNeil.
Elizabeth claims her sole purpose in standing is to unseat "an ineffective MSP, Duncan McNeil". This begs the question: if Duncan is not standing again why is Elizabeth trying to unseat him?
Elizabeth's personal attack on Duncan is unwarranted and unworthy of her.
Duncan is one of the longest serving and most respected Members of the Scottish Parliament. He has served in the Parliament since it was re-established in 1999 and has gained a reputation as a redoubtable campaigner, particularly on health related issues, and a strong advocate for his constituents and his community.
The respect for Duncan is cross-party and I simply can't imagine Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, or Stuart McMillan for that matter, describe Duncan as "ineffective". They would have more respect for a political opponent and a far better understanding of the role of an MSP and what he or she can actually achieve as an individual. Such negative campaigning brings no credit to Elizabeth.
I have heard both Elizabeth and another SNP Holyrood hopeful Ian McDougall bang on about how they would work with Scottish Enterprise to try bring more jobs to Inverclyde.
They seem to be unaware that Scottish Enterprise is firmly at the regeneration table in Inverclyde.
SE is represented on the Board of the community planning partnership, the Inverclyde Alliance, and co-chairs its Economic Regeneration and Employability Outcome Delivery Group. SE is the Council's key partner in our urban regeneration agency, Riverside Inverclyde, and is represented on the Board and its various committees and arms-length companies.
Elizabeth also claimed in the Telegraph article that Inverclyde needs a new vision, "one that reaches beyond Council and parliamentary terms, and sets out where we're going as an area for the next 20 years."
I can't understand how it has escaped her notice that we have such a vision. It is set out with the Inverclyde Community Plan and the Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement.
Our vision for Inverclyde is "Getting it right for every Child, Citizen and Community".
We seek to work in partnership to create a confident, inclusive Inverclyde with safe and sustainable, healthy, nurtured communities, with a thriving, prosperous economy, with active citizens who are achieving, resilient, respected, responsible and included, and able to make a positive contribution to the area.
To deliver this vision the Alliance has agreed eight strategic local outcomes. These are detailed in our Single Outcome Agreement.
As Chair of the Inverclyde Alliance Board I would be interested to know where Elizabeth thinks we are going wrong.
Indeed if Elizabeth really wants to make a difference to the long-term future of Inverclyde perhaps she is applying for the wrong job. The position of Chair of the Inverclyde Alliance becomes available in 2017 and she may want to apply for it. She will of course have to become Leader of the Council first.
Elizabeth claims her sole purpose in standing is to unseat "an ineffective MSP, Duncan McNeil". This begs the question: if Duncan is not standing again why is Elizabeth trying to unseat him?
Elizabeth's personal attack on Duncan is unwarranted and unworthy of her.
Duncan is one of the longest serving and most respected Members of the Scottish Parliament. He has served in the Parliament since it was re-established in 1999 and has gained a reputation as a redoubtable campaigner, particularly on health related issues, and a strong advocate for his constituents and his community.
The respect for Duncan is cross-party and I simply can't imagine Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, or Stuart McMillan for that matter, describe Duncan as "ineffective". They would have more respect for a political opponent and a far better understanding of the role of an MSP and what he or she can actually achieve as an individual. Such negative campaigning brings no credit to Elizabeth.
I have heard both Elizabeth and another SNP Holyrood hopeful Ian McDougall bang on about how they would work with Scottish Enterprise to try bring more jobs to Inverclyde.
They seem to be unaware that Scottish Enterprise is firmly at the regeneration table in Inverclyde.
SE is represented on the Board of the community planning partnership, the Inverclyde Alliance, and co-chairs its Economic Regeneration and Employability Outcome Delivery Group. SE is the Council's key partner in our urban regeneration agency, Riverside Inverclyde, and is represented on the Board and its various committees and arms-length companies.
Elizabeth also claimed in the Telegraph article that Inverclyde needs a new vision, "one that reaches beyond Council and parliamentary terms, and sets out where we're going as an area for the next 20 years."
I can't understand how it has escaped her notice that we have such a vision. It is set out with the Inverclyde Community Plan and the Inverclyde Alliance Single Outcome Agreement.
Our vision for Inverclyde is "Getting it right for every Child, Citizen and Community".
We seek to work in partnership to create a confident, inclusive Inverclyde with safe and sustainable, healthy, nurtured communities, with a thriving, prosperous economy, with active citizens who are achieving, resilient, respected, responsible and included, and able to make a positive contribution to the area.
To deliver this vision the Alliance has agreed eight strategic local outcomes. These are detailed in our Single Outcome Agreement.
As Chair of the Inverclyde Alliance Board I would be interested to know where Elizabeth thinks we are going wrong.
Indeed if Elizabeth really wants to make a difference to the long-term future of Inverclyde perhaps she is applying for the wrong job. The position of Chair of the Inverclyde Alliance becomes available in 2017 and she may want to apply for it. She will of course have to become Leader of the Council first.
Thursday 23 July 2015
The end for Monty's Bar...
Work started today on the demolition of the derelict Monty's Bar in Port Glasgow town centre.
Monty’s was gutted by fire in March 2009. I have doggedly pursued the demolition of this eyesore since then and I was pleased that my perseverance finally paid off when the Council acquired the property in May this year.
Monty’s is located on a corner of Bay Street opposite the junction with Court Road at the heart of Port Glasgow town centre. Its appearance has detracted from our efforts to improve the town centre.
Following demolition the site will be landscaped by the end of the summer pending a decision on its long term future.
This will be considered by the new Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum - comprising Councillors and representatives from both Port Glasgow community councils and the traders association, as well as Council and Riverside Inverclyde officials.
The demolition of Monty's will be met with a degree of regret by those who were regulars over a long number of years. It was my late Grandfather's local so I know many people will be sad to see it finally go.
However with no prospect that it would ever re-open it is better that Monty's is being demolished than lie derelict any longer.
Monty’s was gutted by fire in March 2009. I have doggedly pursued the demolition of this eyesore since then and I was pleased that my perseverance finally paid off when the Council acquired the property in May this year.
Monty’s is located on a corner of Bay Street opposite the junction with Court Road at the heart of Port Glasgow town centre. Its appearance has detracted from our efforts to improve the town centre.
Following demolition the site will be landscaped by the end of the summer pending a decision on its long term future.
This will be considered by the new Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum - comprising Councillors and representatives from both Port Glasgow community councils and the traders association, as well as Council and Riverside Inverclyde officials.
The demolition of Monty's will be met with a degree of regret by those who were regulars over a long number of years. It was my late Grandfather's local so I know many people will be sad to see it finally go.
However with no prospect that it would ever re-open it is better that Monty's is being demolished than lie derelict any longer.
 |
| Monty's Bar being demolished with Port Glasgow Town Buildings in the background |
Tuesday 21 July 2015
New homes at Lower Mary Street on track...
I chaired a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group last night.
Residents were pleased to hear from Raymond Hodge, Development Manager of Link Housing Association, that the first 12 new houses at the Lower Mary Street development in Port Glasgow should be completed and handed over for occupation in September.
The remaining 34 homes should be completed in phases by February 2016. Mr Hodge agreed to arrange a visit to the site at Lower Mary Street for Task Group members some time in August.
The £5m development at Lower Mary Street comprises of 38 homes for social rent and 8 available to buy through the New Supply Shared Equity scheme. Priority for both types of housing is being given to current residents of the Clune Park area to facilitate the demolition and clearing of poor quality tenemental properties in that area.
The new houses at Lower Mary Street will also greatly improve a derelict site on the edge of Port Glasgow town centre, contributing to the regeneration of the area.
Residents were pleased to hear from Raymond Hodge, Development Manager of Link Housing Association, that the first 12 new houses at the Lower Mary Street development in Port Glasgow should be completed and handed over for occupation in September.
The remaining 34 homes should be completed in phases by February 2016. Mr Hodge agreed to arrange a visit to the site at Lower Mary Street for Task Group members some time in August.
The £5m development at Lower Mary Street comprises of 38 homes for social rent and 8 available to buy through the New Supply Shared Equity scheme. Priority for both types of housing is being given to current residents of the Clune Park area to facilitate the demolition and clearing of poor quality tenemental properties in that area.
 |
| The new homes under construction at Lower Mart Street |
The new houses at Lower Mary Street will also greatly improve a derelict site on the edge of Port Glasgow town centre, contributing to the regeneration of the area.
Sunday 19 July 2015
The week ahead...
While the Council is still in summer recess I have a few things on this week:
Monday
In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clue Park Task Group.
Tuesday
At lunchtime I will be attending the 'Reveal' of the Galoshans Winter Festival Programme at the Beacon Arts Centre.
Wednesday
In the afternoon I have a Labour Group planning event.
Thursday
In the afternoon I will be attending a briefing by Scottish Water.
Friday
I will be attending a Provost's Lunch for Sunshine Club stalwarts Anne and Hugh Burns in recognition of their long years of outstanding service to the community.
Monday
In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clue Park Task Group.
Tuesday
At lunchtime I will be attending the 'Reveal' of the Galoshans Winter Festival Programme at the Beacon Arts Centre.
Wednesday
In the afternoon I have a Labour Group planning event.
Thursday
In the afternoon I will be attending a briefing by Scottish Water.
Friday
I will be attending a Provost's Lunch for Sunshine Club stalwarts Anne and Hugh Burns in recognition of their long years of outstanding service to the community.
Sunday 12 July 2015
The week ahead...
Another quiet week due to the Council recess. Only Council commitment this week so far is the meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Executive Sub-Committee I have called on Wednesday to agree additional funding for the summer playschemes to allow Inverclyde Leisure to reduce their sessional charge.
Sunday 5 July 2015
The week ahead...
With the Council in recess and community meetings not taking place this month I have a quiet week ahead.
On Friday I will be in Edinburgh to attend a service at St Giles' Cathedral for the Srebrenica Memorial Day followed by a lunch reception hosted by the First Minister.
On Saturday I will be attending events in Inverclyde to mark 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, including the annual Achi Baba Commemoration Service at Gourock War Memorial.
On Friday I will be in Edinburgh to attend a service at St Giles' Cathedral for the Srebrenica Memorial Day followed by a lunch reception hosted by the First Minister.
On Saturday I will be attending events in Inverclyde to mark 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, including the annual Achi Baba Commemoration Service at Gourock War Memorial.
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