Tender awarded to build Port Glasgow shared campus...

The contract to build Port Glasgow’s £44 million shared campus has been awarded to GRAHAM Construction.

The new campus will be home to Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools and a new Additional Support Needs (ASN) School to replace Glenburn and Lilybank Schools.

This is such an exciting project for Port Glasgow and indeed the whole of Inverclyde. When the campus and the new St Columba’s High School in Gourock are completed in 2013 our secondary school estate will be second to none. We will also have an ASN School with facilities to match the very best.

From the outset of this Administration we said our children are the key to Inverclyde’s future and by providing them with the best facilities possible in which to learn we can give them that all-important springboard towards a better future. We are also demonstrating once again that meeting the needs of our most vulnerable children is a top priority for the Council.

The week ahead...

A busy week ahead:

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am due to go on a walkabout with residents of the Woodhall estate in Port Glasgow. I have a surgery at 6.00 in the evening in St Francis Primary School followed by the AGM of St Francis PS Parent Council.
Tuesday
At work again in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee. This will be followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. I am hoping to attend a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council at 7.30.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. Late afternoon I have a meeting with a local union representative to discuss the Clyde Valley Shared Support Services business case. This is followed by weekly meetings of the Administration Group and the Labour Group. At 7.00 I am due to attend a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting of the Council's Regeneration Committee. No evening commitments currently in the diary.
Friday
A full day at work.

Youth Leaders needed...

The Council urgently needs new adult volunteer youth leaders for the Friday night Kilmacolm Youth Groups operating out of the new Kilmacolm Community Centre.

This would be an excellent opportunity for students and other young people interested in a career in teaching, social work or youth work to gain invaluable experience.

Anyone interested should contact Hugh Scott, the Council's Youth Services Team Leader on 01475 715459 or email Hugh.Scott@inverclyde.gov.uk

Carriageway resurfacing at Arran Avenue...

I am pleased to report that the Council's Roads Service is planning to resurface part of Arran Avenue in Port Glasgow between Monday 5 September and Wednesday 7 September. This will require the closure of the carriageway between Netherton Avenue and Cumbrae Avenue on these dates.

The cost of the resurfacing works is around £17,000.

During the week commencing 22 September footway upgrading will be carried out, also on Arran Avenue, at a cost of £15,000.

Clyde Valley Shared Support Services...

I attended a useful all members' briefing on the Clyde Valley Shared Support Services business case this afternoon by the Council's Chief Executive, John Mundell, and Chief Financial Officer, Alan Puckrin.

There are certainly a lot of issues to consider before we reach a decision on whether or not to participate in the new public-public partnership. This decision will be taken at a special Council meeting on 29 September.

Five more years...

I have formally advised the Labour Party that it is my intention to seek re-selection for next year's Council elections. Hopefully party members will agree that I have made a significant contribution to the Inverclyde community over the last four years and give me the opportunity to seek a further 5 years on the Council.

I not complacent however. We have a lot of very capable people in the local party, who would make excellent candidates and Councillors.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work with no evening Council commitments.
Tuesday
At work until 2.00 before going to Greenock for a meeting of the Audit Committee. This will be followed by a briefing for elected members on the Clyde Valley shared support services business case. At 5.00 myself and the Depute Council Leader, Jim Clocherty, are due to hold our weekly meeting with the Chief Executive.
Wednesday 
Unfortunately, due to the short notice and work commitments, I am unable to attend the Coastguard Union's meeting in the Greenock Town Hall Saloon at 11.00. I have asked the Chief Executive to attend on my behalf and my colleague Iain McKenzie will also be in attendance. In the late afternoon I will be in the Council for weekly meetings of the Administration and Labour Groups. I then hope to get along to the AGM of Newark Primary School Parent Council at 6.30.
Thursday
Due to work commitments I am missing meetings of the Inverclyde CHCP Sub-Committee and Health & Social Care Committee. My colleague Iain McKenzie will substitute for me at both meetings. I have no evening commitments at the moment.
Friday
Most of my day will be taken up with a trip to Edinburgh for the COSLA Leaders' meeting: my first since as stepped down as Council Leader in February. It will be good to see my Labour colleagues again. I will be at work for a couple of hours in the afternoon.