I see that SNP West of Scotland Regional List MSP Stuart McMillan has been placed 6th on his party's list of candidates for next year's Scottish Parliament Election.
Stuart is facing a battle for political survival since it would require an extraordinary result for the SNP to win 6 of the 7 seats in the West of Scotland Region.
If they were able to pull this off then one of the two big hitters on the list - the Tories Annabel Goldie or the Lib Dems Ross Finnie - would fail to be elected.
I wonder who would would miss most: Stuart, Annabel or Ross?
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Leader's Speech
Well done to Ed Miliband on his first conference speech as Labour Leader.
As I said the other day, I am sure that he will make a good Leader.
I do hope however that his brother David will put his name forward for the Shadow Cabinet as I believe that he has much to offer the Party and country.
As I said the other day, I am sure that he will make a good Leader.
I do hope however that his brother David will put his name forward for the Shadow Cabinet as I believe that he has much to offer the Party and country.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Parklea Update
I paid a visit to Parklea this afternoon with Provost Michael McCormick to view progress on the redevelopment works.
We were pleased to see that the works to widen the access road and upgrade the car park are almost complete. Work is also progressing well on the improvements to the first 4 grass pitches.
We are well on our way to realising our vision of a centre of excellence for football. I cannot wait until the whole project is completed in 2012.
We were pleased to see that the works to widen the access road and upgrade the car park are almost complete. Work is also progressing well on the improvements to the first 4 grass pitches.
We are well on our way to realising our vision of a centre of excellence for football. I cannot wait until the whole project is completed in 2012.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
The week ahead...
Monday
Off on public holiday (it is the Glasgow September weekend), although my wife has given me the pleasure of looking after our new puppy Louie for the day! I will also have a rare opportunity to pick up my two youngest from school in the afternoon In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Port Glasgow High School Parent Council.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.30 Pre-agenda for next week's meeting of the full Inverclyde Council
5.00 Presentation by young people who participated in this year's Tall Ships Race
6.00 Surgery at St Francis Primary School
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 All Members' briefing on the budget
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
3.00 Judging a schools' competition on mental health awareness
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day. In the evening I will be attending the St Stephen's High School Awards.
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Off on public holiday (it is the Glasgow September weekend), although my wife has given me the pleasure of looking after our new puppy Louie for the day! I will also have a rare opportunity to pick up my two youngest from school in the afternoon In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Port Glasgow High School Parent Council.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.30 Pre-agenda for next week's meeting of the full Inverclyde Council
5.00 Presentation by young people who participated in this year's Tall Ships Race
6.00 Surgery at St Francis Primary School
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 All Members' briefing on the budget
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
3.00 Judging a schools' competition on mental health awareness
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day. In the evening I will be attending the St Stephen's High School Awards.
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
A new generation...
Congratulations to Ed Miliband on his election as Leader of the Labour Party: I am sure that he will do a great job.
I see that the right wing press and Tory Party Chairwoman are questioning the legitimacy of Ed's leadership given that his brother David polled more votes from MPs/MEPs and party members, while Ed fared better among trade unionists.
It seems we cannot win: we are criticised when we have a coronation rather than an election and when we do have an election the basis of our electoral system is questioned.
No matter what the Tories and right wing press think, trade unions are an integral part of the Labour Party and trade union members, like myself, who pay the political levy are entitled to have our say in who leads our party.
Now that the election is over the whole party will unite behind our new leader and a new generation of shadow ministers. I am confident that in the months and years that lie ahead they will be an effective opposition to the ConDem Coalition.
I see that the right wing press and Tory Party Chairwoman are questioning the legitimacy of Ed's leadership given that his brother David polled more votes from MPs/MEPs and party members, while Ed fared better among trade unionists.
It seems we cannot win: we are criticised when we have a coronation rather than an election and when we do have an election the basis of our electoral system is questioned.
No matter what the Tories and right wing press think, trade unions are an integral part of the Labour Party and trade union members, like myself, who pay the political levy are entitled to have our say in who leads our party.
Now that the election is over the whole party will unite behind our new leader and a new generation of shadow ministers. I am confident that in the months and years that lie ahead they will be an effective opposition to the ConDem Coalition.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
So much for the 'respect agenda'
I see from today's 'Herald' that the UK Coalition is putting pressure on the Scottish Parliament to move the date of the next Scottish Election to avoid a clash with next UK General Election in May 2015, following the Coalition's decision to move to fixed five year terms. So much for the 'respect agenda' of the Coalition.
Personally I have no difficulty with the move to fixed term UK Parliaments. However I see no reason why that cannot be for a four year term - similar to the Scottish Parliament - rather than for five years. That would result in the next UK Election being held in 2014, avoiding a clash with the Scottish Parliament Election the following year.
Would that not be a sensible solution?
I actually think five years is too long for a term of government.
Personally I have no difficulty with the move to fixed term UK Parliaments. However I see no reason why that cannot be for a four year term - similar to the Scottish Parliament - rather than for five years. That would result in the next UK Election being held in 2014, avoiding a clash with the Scottish Parliament Election the following year.
Would that not be a sensible solution?
I actually think five years is too long for a term of government.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
To freeze or not to freeze that is the question
I received a call from a journalist today carrying out a survey of Council Leaders on whether or not we believe that the Council Tax freeze is sustainable.
I told her that in my opinion that was a question better directed to the Scottish Government since they control our funding. If the Government - or more specifically a majority within the Scottish Parliament - decide that maintaining the Council Tax freeze should be a higher priority that maintaining particular services, local government will have no option but to go along with this. After all, no Council is going to turn down funding to freeze the Council Tax if it comes with the same strings attached as in previous years i.e. you only receive the funding if you agree to a freeze.
Personally I think the politically astute approach for the Scottish Government to take is to allocate specific funding to Councils to allow us to freeze the tax but leave the final decision as to whether we actually do so to individual Councils. This will give Councils the greater flexibility that we have been asking for but at the same time make us directly accountable for the decisions we take.
Faced with significant reductions in our funding Councils will have to look at reducing expenditure, increasing charges for services and increasing the Council Tax. The challenge politically will be to get the balance right between these options since none of them will be popular.
If the Scottish Government decides to impose a Council Tax freeze this will limit our choices to reducing expenditure and increasing charges. While this would make life a bit simpler for Councils it would, in my opinion, fundamentally undermine local democracy.
Local government has been prepared to accept an imposed freeze in the last 3 years in return for increases in funding over all and a reduction in ring fencing. At a time of cuts in funding we should insist on our democratic right to vary local taxation.
I told her that in my opinion that was a question better directed to the Scottish Government since they control our funding. If the Government - or more specifically a majority within the Scottish Parliament - decide that maintaining the Council Tax freeze should be a higher priority that maintaining particular services, local government will have no option but to go along with this. After all, no Council is going to turn down funding to freeze the Council Tax if it comes with the same strings attached as in previous years i.e. you only receive the funding if you agree to a freeze.
Personally I think the politically astute approach for the Scottish Government to take is to allocate specific funding to Councils to allow us to freeze the tax but leave the final decision as to whether we actually do so to individual Councils. This will give Councils the greater flexibility that we have been asking for but at the same time make us directly accountable for the decisions we take.
Faced with significant reductions in our funding Councils will have to look at reducing expenditure, increasing charges for services and increasing the Council Tax. The challenge politically will be to get the balance right between these options since none of them will be popular.
If the Scottish Government decides to impose a Council Tax freeze this will limit our choices to reducing expenditure and increasing charges. While this would make life a bit simpler for Councils it would, in my opinion, fundamentally undermine local democracy.
Local government has been prepared to accept an imposed freeze in the last 3 years in return for increases in funding over all and a reduction in ring fencing. At a time of cuts in funding we should insist on our democratic right to vary local taxation.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Rallying the Faithful
I see that hot on the heels of the Pope, Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg was rallying the faithful at his Party's national conference in Liverpool today amid growing concern among activists about their coalition with the Tories.
Maybe I am biased (?) but I would not trust this man as far as I could throw him. He would sell his Granny for a ministerial car.
I would have said that he would sell his political principles but I am not sure that he has any!
Maybe I am biased (?) but I would not trust this man as far as I could throw him. He would sell his Granny for a ministerial car.
I would have said that he would sell his political principles but I am not sure that he has any!
Sunday, 19 September 2010
The week ahead...
A busy week ahead:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting with the Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network
5.00 Briefing for Elected Members on the Council's Transformation Programme
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee
7.00 Meeting of the Park Farm Regeneration Group
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Meeting with officers
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 St Michael's Primary School Parent Council AGM
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
2.00 Briefing on the feasibility study for a new Woodhall Community Centre
3.00 Meeting with officers in Greenock
4.00 Meeting with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
Friday
On public holiday (Glasgow September weekend) but have to attend the COSLA Leaders' Meeting in Edinburgh
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting with the Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network
5.00 Briefing for Elected Members on the Council's Transformation Programme
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Chairing a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee
7.00 Meeting of the Park Farm Regeneration Group
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.00 Meeting with officers
2.00 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 St Michael's Primary School Parent Council AGM
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
2.00 Briefing on the feasibility study for a new Woodhall Community Centre
3.00 Meeting with officers in Greenock
4.00 Meeting with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
Friday
On public holiday (Glasgow September weekend) but have to attend the COSLA Leaders' Meeting in Edinburgh
Friday, 17 September 2010
"War of words"
I see that local SNP Councillor Chris Osborne would like the number of Councillors cut, while his colleague Jim Grieve thinks Councillors should be full-time and paid more.
Despite the headline in today's Greenock Telegraph ("War of words over councillor cull") these points of view are not necessarily mutually exclusive as reducing the number of Councillors could provide a justification for making the post full time and increasing the salary paid, although the latter proposal would go down like a lead balloon in the current economic climate.
Chris comes at the issue from the viewpoint that as a small nation we are over governed. I do not disagree with him but in my humble opinion the priority should be to reduce the number of MSPs (currently 129) we have rather than the number of Councillors.
Despite the headline in today's Greenock Telegraph ("War of words over councillor cull") these points of view are not necessarily mutually exclusive as reducing the number of Councillors could provide a justification for making the post full time and increasing the salary paid, although the latter proposal would go down like a lead balloon in the current economic climate.
Chris comes at the issue from the viewpoint that as a small nation we are over governed. I do not disagree with him but in my humble opinion the priority should be to reduce the number of MSPs (currently 129) we have rather than the number of Councillors.
Monday, 13 September 2010
A pleasant evening...
I spent a pleasant evening at Port Glasgow High School's Prizegiving tonight.
The event was hosted splendidly by the Head Boy and Head Girl and their deputes.
The Head Teacher, Alan Dick, and Corporate Director of Education and Communities, Albert Henderson, spoke well about the young people's achievements and the partnership between the school and parents, which is central to the school's success.
During the evening we were entertained by musical interludes, with the young people displaying their varied talents. I am pleased to report that the reputation of Port Glasgow High School for musical excellence is very much in tact.
The event was hosted splendidly by the Head Boy and Head Girl and their deputes.
The Head Teacher, Alan Dick, and Corporate Director of Education and Communities, Albert Henderson, spoke well about the young people's achievements and the partnership between the school and parents, which is central to the school's success.
During the evening we were entertained by musical interludes, with the young people displaying their varied talents. I am pleased to report that the reputation of Port Glasgow High School for musical excellence is very much in tact.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
The week ahead...
A quieter week ahead:
Monday
At work all day. In the evening I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Annual Prize Giving at Port Glasgow Town Hall.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
6.00 Surgery at Park Farm Community Hall
7.00 Choice between the Three Wards Community Council and St Stephen's High School Parent Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chief Executive's Mid Year Appraisal Review
3.00 Inverclyde Alliance Board Pre-agenda
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Whitecroft Tenants' and Residents' Association Inaugural Meeting
Thursday
On leave from work and no Council commitments
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Monday
At work all day. In the evening I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Annual Prize Giving at Port Glasgow Town Hall.
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
6.00 Surgery at Park Farm Community Hall
7.00 Choice between the Three Wards Community Council and St Stephen's High School Parent Council
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Chief Executive's Mid Year Appraisal Review
3.00 Inverclyde Alliance Board Pre-agenda
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
7.00 Whitecroft Tenants' and Residents' Association Inaugural Meeting
Thursday
On leave from work and no Council commitments
Friday
At work all day with no evening Council commitments
Friday, 10 September 2010
Well done to Stuart...
I see from tonight's Greenock Telegraph that SNP List MSP Stuart McMillan was the man responsible for bringing the First Minister to Greenock on Monday to cut the sod (or more accurately move a bit of dirt) at the site of the new £10m Arts Guild Theatre. Well done to Stuart!
I like to think I played a small part too in creating a photo opportunity for the First Minister by ensuring that the Council came up with £2.5m to make the project happen.
It was actually the first time that I had met Mr Salmond. I had received a few invites through to Edinburgh previously for events he was hosting but I could not make them due to other commitments.
I must say that I found him to be charming, as you would expect, just like the previous First Minister when I met him. My colleague Jim Clocherty also got on well with him, not surprising given their mutual love of horse racing. I understand that a few tips were swapped.
If I was a betting man however I don't think I would be putting a lot on our Eck to cross the finish line first next May.
I like to think I played a small part too in creating a photo opportunity for the First Minister by ensuring that the Council came up with £2.5m to make the project happen.
It was actually the first time that I had met Mr Salmond. I had received a few invites through to Edinburgh previously for events he was hosting but I could not make them due to other commitments.
I must say that I found him to be charming, as you would expect, just like the previous First Minister when I met him. My colleague Jim Clocherty also got on well with him, not surprising given their mutual love of horse racing. I understand that a few tips were swapped.
If I was a betting man however I don't think I would be putting a lot on our Eck to cross the finish line first next May.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Apply now for voluntary grants!
Applications are now being invited for the second round of Grants to Voluntary Organisations funding from the Council. Community groups and voluntary organisations have until the 1 October to apply for a share of the £121,280 remaining in the Grants to Voluntary Organisations Fund.
An application form and guidance notes are available from:
An application form and guidance notes are available from:
- the Inverclyde Council website http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/
- by telephoning Safer and Inclusive Communities on 01475 714298
- by e-mailing safer.communities@inverclyde.gov.uk
Applications should be returned to:
Mr John Arthur, Head of Safer & Inclusive Communities, 40 West Stewart Street, Greenock PA15 1YA, or e-mailed to safer.communities@inverclyde.gov.uk
Sunday, 5 September 2010
The week ahead...
A busy week coming up:
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Sod Cutting Ceremony for the new Arts Guild Theatre
4.00 Policy & Resources Committee Pre-agenda
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Awareness session for Elected Members on Housing and Council Tax Benefits
4.00 Education & Lifelong Learning Committee
7.00 Either Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board or Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting with the Council's independent advisor regarding the Chief Executive's six monthly appraisal review
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.30 Leave work to travel to Paisley
4.00 Meeting with the Electoral Registration Officer
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
Saturday
Judging the Best Dressed Shop Window competition in Kilmacolm in the morning
Sunday
Attending the Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm Labour Party Branch meeting in the afternoon
Monday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Sod Cutting Ceremony for the new Arts Guild Theatre
4.00 Policy & Resources Committee Pre-agenda
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Awareness session for Elected Members on Housing and Council Tax Benefits
4.00 Education & Lifelong Learning Committee
7.00 Either Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board or Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting with the Council's independent advisor regarding the Chief Executive's six monthly appraisal review
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.30 Leave work to travel to Paisley
4.00 Meeting with the Electoral Registration Officer
Friday
At work all day with no Council commitments
Saturday
Judging the Best Dressed Shop Window competition in Kilmacolm in the morning
Sunday
Attending the Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm Labour Party Branch meeting in the afternoon
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Well done to Chris...
I see that local SNP Councillor Chris Osborne has followed my lead by starting a blog.
Well done to Chris: it is a good way of keeping your constituents up to date with your work.
It will also help those of us who don't see Chris very often around the Council buildings to remember what he looks like!
Only kidding, Chris.
Well done to Chris: it is a good way of keeping your constituents up to date with your work.
It will also help those of us who don't see Chris very often around the Council buildings to remember what he looks like!
Only kidding, Chris.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
A shameful decision...
At the Council's Regeneration Committee today members received a report on the success of the Future Jobs Fund, an initiative introduced by the last Labour Government to help people aged 18 -24 who were out of work for more than 6 months get into the Labour market.
The FJF has been a major success in Inverclyde with 258 people to date being employed in the programme with a target of 480 by the time the programme comes to an end in March 2011.
Unfortunately one of the first acts of the new Lib Dem Con Coalition was to axe the Future Jobs Fund: a shameful decision in my opinion.
It seems that the Tories and their Lib Dem allies have not learned the lessons of the 1980s when the Thatcher Government condemned generations of young people to the scrap heap.
The FJF has been a major success in Inverclyde with 258 people to date being employed in the programme with a target of 480 by the time the programme comes to an end in March 2011.
Unfortunately one of the first acts of the new Lib Dem Con Coalition was to axe the Future Jobs Fund: a shameful decision in my opinion.
It seems that the Tories and their Lib Dem allies have not learned the lessons of the 1980s when the Thatcher Government condemned generations of young people to the scrap heap.
Spoilt for choice
I have just cast my first vote in the Labour Party Leadership contest as a member of Unite the Union and was spoilt for choice.
In my opinion four of the five candidates would make a good leader, and no matter who wins, I believe that we will have a strong shadow cabinet that will be an effective opposition to the Lib Dem Con coalition, capable of returning Labour to power at the next general election.
In my opinion four of the five candidates would make a good leader, and no matter who wins, I believe that we will have a strong shadow cabinet that will be an effective opposition to the Lib Dem Con coalition, capable of returning Labour to power at the next general election.
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