The Council's Policy & Resources Committee will consider a proposal from officers to establish an Independent Living Fund of £750,000 at its meeting on 27 March.
The new fund would be used to help social work clients of all age groups live independently in their own homes for longer than would otherwise be the case. Some of the funding will be used to pay for aids and adaptations to the homes of disabled people.
I very much welcome this proposal as the Labour-led Administration has been determined to ensure that our vulnerable citizens receive the highest standards of care and, where possible, are able to live independent and fulfilling lives.
We have given a high priority to providing aids and adaptations for disabled people since coming to power in May 2007 by allocating over £5.2m for this purpose. This additional £750,000 will make a real difference to many disabled people's lives.
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Clarification sought from Minister on RI funding...
As Leader of the Council I have written again to the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment to seek clarification on the Government's funding commitment to our urban regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde.
Previously the Government indicated that it was only prepared to fund RI for a further two years, causing considerable uncertainty over the company's future. The current Council Administration is fully committed to honouring our 10 year, £24m funding pledge to RI and I had sought assurances from the Cabinet Secretary that the Government would honour its funding pledge. Unfortunately the Cabinet Secretary up till now has not made a similar commitment to the Council.
Recent discussions between officials however have suggested that the Government may be prepared to offer further funding to RI beyond its current two year commitment. I have therefore written to the Cabinet Secretary to seek clarification on this point.
Below is the text of my letter to Mr Neil:
"Dear Alex
I understand that you have offered to meet the Board of Riverside Inverclyde to outline the Scottish Government’s commitment to the regeneration of Inverclyde and the continuation of Riverside Inverclyde URC. I know that Bill Nicol, the CEO, has contacted David Cowan in your Regeneration Team to try and arrange an early date for a discussion.
Whilst I welcome the fact that you are happy to attend the Board meeting to discuss the Government’s continued commitment to the URC, as Leader of Inverclyde Council, a key funder of the Company, I would appreciate if you could give me some further detail on how the Government is going to financially support the URC moving forward. I believe that a two year funding settlement to cover core costs at a level of £2.5M and £1.5M has been made for the year 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 respectively.
The URC has also been asked to work closely with colleagues in the Government to prepare a four year Business Plan for the Government’s consideration. In order that stability and clarity can exist within the URC, and that I can update the Council, I would appreciate if you could confirm what that means in real financial terms.
I look forward to your reply and seeing you at the Riverside Inverclyde Board meeting.
Yours sincerely
Stephen McCabe
Leader of the Council"
Previously the Government indicated that it was only prepared to fund RI for a further two years, causing considerable uncertainty over the company's future. The current Council Administration is fully committed to honouring our 10 year, £24m funding pledge to RI and I had sought assurances from the Cabinet Secretary that the Government would honour its funding pledge. Unfortunately the Cabinet Secretary up till now has not made a similar commitment to the Council.
Recent discussions between officials however have suggested that the Government may be prepared to offer further funding to RI beyond its current two year commitment. I have therefore written to the Cabinet Secretary to seek clarification on this point.
Below is the text of my letter to Mr Neil:
"Dear Alex
I understand that you have offered to meet the Board of Riverside Inverclyde to outline the Scottish Government’s commitment to the regeneration of Inverclyde and the continuation of Riverside Inverclyde URC. I know that Bill Nicol, the CEO, has contacted David Cowan in your Regeneration Team to try and arrange an early date for a discussion.
Whilst I welcome the fact that you are happy to attend the Board meeting to discuss the Government’s continued commitment to the URC, as Leader of Inverclyde Council, a key funder of the Company, I would appreciate if you could give me some further detail on how the Government is going to financially support the URC moving forward. I believe that a two year funding settlement to cover core costs at a level of £2.5M and £1.5M has been made for the year 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 respectively.
The URC has also been asked to work closely with colleagues in the Government to prepare a four year Business Plan for the Government’s consideration. In order that stability and clarity can exist within the URC, and that I can update the Council, I would appreciate if you could confirm what that means in real financial terms.
I look forward to your reply and seeing you at the Riverside Inverclyde Board meeting.
Yours sincerely
Stephen McCabe
Leader of the Council"
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Welcome support for Community Midwife Unit...
I was pleased today to receive a copy of a letter that the President of Greenock Chamber of Commerce, Elaine Stewart, has sent to the Chief Executive of the Health Board, Robert Calderwood, calling for the Board not to close the birthing facility at Inverclyde's Community Midwife Unit.
The Chamber's concerns very much echo those of the Council and the wider community. I hope that the Board and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, will acknowledge those concerns and agree to enter into meaningful discussions about the future of the birthing facility.
The Chamber's concerns very much echo those of the Council and the wider community. I hope that the Board and the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, will acknowledge those concerns and agree to enter into meaningful discussions about the future of the birthing facility.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
The week ahead...
Monday
At work until 1.30 and then down to Greenock for a preparatory meeting for the Chief Executive's annual appraisal at 2.30 and the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda at 4.00. I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre at 6.00.
Tuesday
At work until 2.00 followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 3.00 and a meeting of the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee at 4.00. I hope to attend a meeting of the Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association at 7.00.
Wednesday
At work until 2.00 then down to Greenock for meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
At work all day. I have an evening meeting with Kilmacolm Civic Trust.
Friday
At work all day with no evening commitments.
At work until 1.30 and then down to Greenock for a preparatory meeting for the Chief Executive's annual appraisal at 2.30 and the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda at 4.00. I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre at 6.00.
Tuesday
At work until 2.00 followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 3.00 and a meeting of the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee at 4.00. I hope to attend a meeting of the Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association at 7.00.
Wednesday
At work until 2.00 then down to Greenock for meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
At work all day. I have an evening meeting with Kilmacolm Civic Trust.
Friday
At work all day with no evening commitments.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Is it that Ronnie Cowan?
Just wondering out loud if the Ronnie Cowan with a letter in today's Greenock Telegraph misrepresenting the Council's proposed parking strategy for Greenock Town Centre is the Ronnie Cowan who was in the same paper recently announcing the SNP's candidates for the Council elections on 3 May?
Sunday, 4 March 2012
The week ahead...
Monday
At work until 2.00 before returning to Kilmacolm to pick my kids up from school. At 5.00 I am attending a meeting with consultants who are undertaking a feasibility study for a new community facility in the Woodhall estate in my ward. At 6.00 I am attending an event in Newark Primary School aimed at encouraging local residents to put their names forward to members of the Port Glasgow East Community Council.
Tuesday
At work until 2.00 then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Council's Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee. I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 5.00 and a meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council at 7.00.
Wednesday
At work until 1.00 and then I have a series of visits to Council projects. I will be attending meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and the Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
At work until 12.30 then down to Port Glasgow for a 'Port Glasgow in Bloom' presentation at Parklea Branching Out. I have a meeting with an officer at 2.30 followed by the Regeneration Committee at 3.00. After this I will be returning to work in Glasgow for a meeting at 6.30.
Friday
A full day at work.
At work until 2.00 before returning to Kilmacolm to pick my kids up from school. At 5.00 I am attending a meeting with consultants who are undertaking a feasibility study for a new community facility in the Woodhall estate in my ward. At 6.00 I am attending an event in Newark Primary School aimed at encouraging local residents to put their names forward to members of the Port Glasgow East Community Council.
Tuesday
At work until 2.00 then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Council's Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee. I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 5.00 and a meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council at 7.00.
Wednesday
At work until 1.00 and then I have a series of visits to Council projects. I will be attending meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and the Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
At work until 12.30 then down to Port Glasgow for a 'Port Glasgow in Bloom' presentation at Parklea Branching Out. I have a meeting with an officer at 2.30 followed by the Regeneration Committee at 3.00. After this I will be returning to work in Glasgow for a meeting at 6.30.
Friday
A full day at work.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Are you registered to vote?
If not, you won't be able to have your say at the next election on 3 May 2012.
For information about registration telephone 0141 842 5922.
The final date for registering to vote is Wednesday 18 April 2012.
Anyone registered who wishes to vote by post or proxy and has not already applied, can do so now.
Just phone 0141 842 5922.
For information about registration telephone 0141 842 5922.
The final date for registering to vote is Wednesday 18 April 2012.
Anyone registered who wishes to vote by post or proxy and has not already applied, can do so now.
Just phone 0141 842 5922.
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