It is hard to believe that it is now 3 years since we won back control of the Council from the Lib Dems (it feels much longer!), initially operating as a minority Administration and then, since late 2008, as a formal coalition with Councillors Ahlfeld and Wilson.
It is a good time therefore to reflect on the progress that has been made against some of the key priorities we set ourselves.
We will continue the economic regeneration of Inverclyde, working in partnership through the Inverclyde Alliance with the public, private and voluntary sectors, building on the success of Riverside Inverclyde and delivering the redevelopment of Central Gourock
Partnership working is continuing to develop and improve via the Inverclyde Alliance as evidenced by the successful development of the single outcome agreement and the review and allocation of Fairer Scotland Funding. Discussions are ongoing with partners on the development of a public sector asset strategy.
The Council has been particularly successful in creating employment opportunities through the Future Jobs Fund, where it is the second highest performing authority in the UK. It is a pity that the new Lib Dem Con coalition at Westminster has announced that the Future Jobs Fund is to end in 2011.
Further significant progress has been made by Riverside Inverclyde in the redevelopment of our waterfront. Progress on the redevelopment of Central Gourock has moved on considerably with the start of work on the new railway station, investment through the town centre regeneration fund and the engagement of consultants via Riverside Inverclyde to develop a new and more realistic master plan.
We will renew the town centres of Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow and work to expand the boundaries of Riverside Inverclyde to include Gourock
Significant funding was secured through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund in 2009/10 (with match funding from the Council and Riverside Inverclyde) and the implementation of proposals for Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock town centres is now underway in partnership with Riverside Inverclyde. The boundaries of Riverside Inverclyde have been expanded to include Gourock.
We will deliver significant investment in new and enhanced leisure facilities in communities across Inverclyde, including Gourock Park, Gourock Pool, Parklea, Ravenscraig Stadium and Rankin Park
A near £23m investment programme was agreed as part of 2009/11 Budget.
3G pitches have been completed at Lady Octavia (East Greenock), George Road (Gourock), Broomhill (Central Greenock), Inverclyde Academy (South West Greenock) and Wemyss Bay Primary (Wemyss Bay). A new 3G pitch is currently under construction at Parklea (Port Glasgow). The grass pitch at Ravenscraig (South West Greenock) has been upgraded.
Work has been completed on the amphitheatre and pavilion at Gourock Park. Design work is underway for the upgrading of Gourock Pool with tenders due to be issued in August 2010.
The upgrading of 4 grass pitches at Parklea and infrastructure works are due to start in summer 2010.
Tenders for the refurbishment of Ravenscraig Stadium were issued in April 2010.
Design work is underway on the new sports centre at Rankin Park (Central/South Greenock), with tenders due to be issued in September 2010.
We will deliver new or refurbished schools fit for the 21st Century across Inverclyde to ensure all of our children have the best possible start in life, including new secondary schools in Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow in accordance with the approved Schools Estate Management Plan
New PPP primary schools have been completed for All Saints (East Greenock) and Aileymill (South West Greenock) and new PPP secondary schools for Notre Dame (Central Greenock) and Clydeview (Central/West Greenock and Gourock) are underway.
A design team appointed for new shared campus in Port Glasgow, incorporating new Port Glasgow High School, St Stephen’s High School and a new Special Needs School to replace Glenburn and Lilybank schools.
Design work is underway on refurbished schools for the mergers of Highlanders Academy and Overton Primary School (Central Greenock) and St Gabriel’s and Sacred Heart Primary Schools (South West Greenock).
As you can see, much has been achieved in the last 3 years. We are not complacent however and we intend to make further progress in the remaining two years of this Council as we strive to deliver our vision of
“A confident, inclusive Inverclyde with safe, sustainable, healthy communities, a thriving prosperous economy, where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential and can make a positive contribution to the area.”
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So Broomhill pavillion has been given the go ahead to be upgraged. Since this pitch has been opened not one single Broomhill community group have been allowed to use these facilities.Broomhill amatures football team along with their new kids football team have been offered a miserly 2 hours on a Saturday morning which they were being asked to pay for. They couldn,t take this time as no teams trains on a Saturday morning,this is when they play their games ,it was a ridiculous offer knowing full well they couldnt take that time ).These kids have to walk by Morton boys club on a Tuesday and thurday evening training on these new facilities free of charge ,keep on walking right up to the old blaze park at Overton primary and get changed in cars and behind coats. You tell me how this investment is helping the Broomhill area. Who is this new pitch or pavillion for,it certainly isnt the kids from Broomhill.They get nothing from you ,they help out in the community ,when training is cancelled the coaches have been known to get the kids bin bags ,brushes and shovels and help clean the area.The teams get funding every year by the same guy who must be out a small fortune over the years helping this area and for some reason he continues to do so. They dont ask for much but to be excluded while other teams from outside the area get to use these facilities free and before them is a right kick in the teath. And these kids were so looking forward to it opening,all the fuss in the media and all the promises of helping this community.Watching these kids training on blaze like I did 30 years ago is not what they were promised,but being from Broomhill they are used to watching others get before them,but when they walk right into our community and flaunt it then it is heartbreaking as a grandparent to watch.Second class Broomhill ,nothing changes here
ReplyDeleteAn annoyed Grandad from Broomhill
I know that my colleague Jim Clocherty reads this blog: he will be more than happy to look into your concerns.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to email him: Jim.Clocherty@inverclyde.gov.uk
I would actually like your opinion Mr Mccabe,it is your blog that is praising the good work you think you are doing. Mr Clocherty is very well aware of the concerns and the problem still exists with no chance our our kids getting anywere near this facility.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer not to have a conversation via my blog,that is not what it is for.
ReplyDeleteEmail me at Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.uk and I will have the matter looked into.