It is quite absurd of SNP Councillor Jim MacLeod to accuse me of trying to “pin the blame for all of the Clune Park/Robert Street problems over the past 20 years on the housing minister Alex Neil” (‘Blame bid a farce’, Telegraph, 31 January).
It is even more absurd of Councillor MacLeod to trace back the decline of this area to my time as ward Councillor between 1992 and 1996. The demise began long before I came on the scene.
If blame is to be apportioned I would have thought that Councillor MacLeod would have done better to highlight those who have exploited the area and its inhabitants for their own financial gain over a long number of years than to selectively mention those of us to who have tried our best to argue Clune Park’s case.
I readily acknowledge that successive Councils and Scottish Governments have failed to address the fundamental problems of the Clune Park area. Due to the scale of the challenge, particularly in relation to funding, it was easier to find reasons for not doing things than it was to come up with practical solutions.
We are in grave danger of making the same mistake again.
Rather than playing the blame game I have tried to work constructively with Councillor MacLeod and Conservative Councillor David Wilson through the Clune Park Regeneration Task Group in the best interests of the residents of the area. I have also sought to work with the current Scottish Government to the same end.
If I am guilty of anything it is of not accepting no for an answer.
My repeated invitations to the Housing Minister to visit Clune Park have not been designed to embarrass him. On the contrary, I genuinely believe that the only chance of breaking the impasse that currently exists between government officials and the Council is through his intervention.
That is a view shared by the Clune Park Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, who contrary to what Councillor MacLeod would have us believe, are grateful to my colleague Trish Godman for the support she has given to them over the years she has been their MSP, and indeed for the support she continues to give them despite the fact that she is retiring in May.
Rather than indulging in political points scoring Councillor MacLeod could use his time more productively by trying to persuade his colleague Mr Neil to come to Clune Park. After all, what does the Minister have to lose other than a couple of hours of his time?
Monday, 31 January 2011
Sunday, 30 January 2011
The week ahead...
Monday
At work all day with a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group at 6.45
Tuesday
Again at work all day with a meeting of the Whitecroft Tenants' and Residents' Association at 6.30
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Unveiling of the 'Ginger Horse' at Greenock's Cathcart Street
3.00 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 Greenock
4.30 All Members' briefing by the Principal of James Watt College
Friday
At work all day with no evening commitments
At work all day with a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group at 6.45
Tuesday
Again at work all day with a meeting of the Whitecroft Tenants' and Residents' Association at 6.30
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Unveiling of the 'Ginger Horse' at Greenock's Cathcart Street
3.00 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 Greenock
4.30 All Members' briefing by the Principal of James Watt College
Friday
At work all day with no evening commitments
Friday, 28 January 2011
Listening to Innes...
I see that I am getting more advice today on the Council's budget, this time from the acting Leader of the SNP Group, Councillor Innes Nelson.
Innes told The Greenock Telegraph that his Group is very concerned that compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.
I have made it clear on a number of occasions that the Administration would wish to avoid compulsory redundancies but that we simply cannot give an absolute guarantee. I have to say to the local SNP Group that this is a view shared by every SNP led Council in Scotland.
Indeed the only Council so far to announce compulsory redundancies is Aberdeen, which is run by an SNP/Lib Dem coalition.
Clearly the local SNP Group think that it is good politics to promote a no compulsory redundancies policy, safe in the knowledge that they don't have the votes to get this through the Council.
For me this is dishonest and irresponsible. They should stop playing politics with people's jobs.
Innes told The Greenock Telegraph that his Group is very concerned that compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.
I have made it clear on a number of occasions that the Administration would wish to avoid compulsory redundancies but that we simply cannot give an absolute guarantee. I have to say to the local SNP Group that this is a view shared by every SNP led Council in Scotland.
Indeed the only Council so far to announce compulsory redundancies is Aberdeen, which is run by an SNP/Lib Dem coalition.
Clearly the local SNP Group think that it is good politics to promote a no compulsory redundancies policy, safe in the knowledge that they don't have the votes to get this through the Council.
For me this is dishonest and irresponsible. They should stop playing politics with people's jobs.
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Listening to Alan..
I see from today's Greenock Telegraph that former Council Leader Alan Blair has been giving the Labour-led Administration some advice on what should be our budget priorities.
You will remember Alan: he became Leader of the Lib Dems in 2003 after ousting Jim Mitchell, who had just led the Lib Dems to a stunning election victory over Labour, winning 13 out of 20 seats on the Council. Nearly 8 years on Alan is now leading a Lib Dem Group of just 3 on the Council.
How could this happen when Alan is so in touch with what matters to the public?
Of course all Alan is doing is a bit of pre-budget politicking since he will have no influence whatsoever over what the Administration will propose. The reason for this is not because he has nothing useful to contribute: no, it is simply because he cannot bring himself to talk to the Administration, or more accurately to me.
Alan tells us that we should be spending more money on our roads. We have just agreed to allocate an extra £400,000 this financial year for emergency repairs. We will also spending a further £120,000, which we have just been allocated by the Scottish Government. The Council's provisional capital programme also contains substantial sums for carriage way and footpath reconstruction and resurfacing during the next financial year. Despite funding cuts by the Scottish Government we will honour this commitment.
With regard to flooding, we have already allocated £500,000 in the current financial year for a number of high priority works. I am hopeful that I will be able to announce further funding on 10 February when I present the Administration's budget proposals.
Indeed I am more than confident that by the end of this Council term we will have spent far more on dealing with flooding issues that the Lib Dems did when they were in power from 2003 to 2007.
You will remember Alan: he became Leader of the Lib Dems in 2003 after ousting Jim Mitchell, who had just led the Lib Dems to a stunning election victory over Labour, winning 13 out of 20 seats on the Council. Nearly 8 years on Alan is now leading a Lib Dem Group of just 3 on the Council.
How could this happen when Alan is so in touch with what matters to the public?
Of course all Alan is doing is a bit of pre-budget politicking since he will have no influence whatsoever over what the Administration will propose. The reason for this is not because he has nothing useful to contribute: no, it is simply because he cannot bring himself to talk to the Administration, or more accurately to me.
Alan tells us that we should be spending more money on our roads. We have just agreed to allocate an extra £400,000 this financial year for emergency repairs. We will also spending a further £120,000, which we have just been allocated by the Scottish Government. The Council's provisional capital programme also contains substantial sums for carriage way and footpath reconstruction and resurfacing during the next financial year. Despite funding cuts by the Scottish Government we will honour this commitment.
With regard to flooding, we have already allocated £500,000 in the current financial year for a number of high priority works. I am hopeful that I will be able to announce further funding on 10 February when I present the Administration's budget proposals.
Indeed I am more than confident that by the end of this Council term we will have spent far more on dealing with flooding issues that the Lib Dems did when they were in power from 2003 to 2007.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Honouring the Bard..
I had the pleasure of attending the St Michael's Primary School Burns Concert this afternoon, where pupils from primary 1 to primary 7 treated us to a festival of music, poetry and dance. I was very impressed by the talent on display and the confidence of the pupils.
I also had the pleasure of attending the annual Inverclyde Labour Party Burns Supper on Friday night in the Gamble Halls. As usual we had a great night, with former First Minister Jack McConnell and MSPs David Whitton and Jackie Ballie the guest speakers. This was our fourth such event and I think I am finally starting to get a taste for the haggis. Either that or I was just starving.
I also had the pleasure of attending the annual Inverclyde Labour Party Burns Supper on Friday night in the Gamble Halls. As usual we had a great night, with former First Minister Jack McConnell and MSPs David Whitton and Jackie Ballie the guest speakers. This was our fourth such event and I think I am finally starting to get a taste for the haggis. Either that or I was just starving.
Defending the indefensible...
I see that SNP List MSP Stuart McMillan has defended the Scottish Government's decision to cut funding for Riverside Inverclyde by 70%: talk about defending the indefensible.
I thought that the job of a list MSP was to lobby on behalf of the region he/she represents rather than simply be an apologist for his/her political party.
While the Scottish Government's funding may have been cut there is still a huge budget to allocate and Mr McMillan should be arguing for Inverclyde to get its fair share. It is clear in this case that we are not getting our fair share and that funding that should have been allocated to the four Urban Regeneration Companies is going elsewhere, with Inverclyde suffering most.
Go on Stuart: be a man for once and stand up to be counted.
For once, can you not put the interests of the people you purport to represent before loyalty to the party?
I thought that the job of a list MSP was to lobby on behalf of the region he/she represents rather than simply be an apologist for his/her political party.
While the Scottish Government's funding may have been cut there is still a huge budget to allocate and Mr McMillan should be arguing for Inverclyde to get its fair share. It is clear in this case that we are not getting our fair share and that funding that should have been allocated to the four Urban Regeneration Companies is going elsewhere, with Inverclyde suffering most.
Go on Stuart: be a man for once and stand up to be counted.
For once, can you not put the interests of the people you purport to represent before loyalty to the party?
Monday, 24 January 2011
RI Funding Cut: An Open Letter to John Swinney
Below is the full text of a letter sent today to John Swinney by myself, the MP and the two constituency MSPs:
70% Funding Cut for Urban Regeneration Company
We are writing to you as Cabinet Secretary responsible for Scottish Enterprise to express our deepest concern and shock at the extraordinary level of funding reduction for Inverclyde’s Urban Regeneration Company (URC), Riverside Inverclyde.
The company was jointly established in 2007 as a ten year initiative with funding being provided by the Scottish Government (£36 million), Scottish Enterprise (£33 million) and Inverclyde Council (£24 million) to transform Inverclyde’s waterfront area into a more attractive place for the private sector to invest and for jobs to be created in recognition of the significant levels of poverty, deprivation and associated unemployment in our area.
You will be aware that following the decline in major industries in the area, Inverclyde has seen the largest % decline in population of any Scottish Local Authority area in the period between 2001 – 2008. Over those 7 years, there was a 4% reduction in the population – compared with the Scottish population change over the same period, which has seen a 2.1% increase. With this significant population decline projected to continue, successful interventions via Riverside Inverclyde are a critical part of the solution.
Furthermore, 42% of the Inverclyde population live in areas which are defined as the most deprived 20% in Scotland with average earnings in Inverclyde 13% lower than the Scottish average, the fourth lowest in Scotland.
We fully appreciate the impact of the acute financial challenges facing Government and the entire public sector following the banking crisis and the subsequent downturn in global economic activity. However we cannot comprehend or begin to understand what equates to a significantly disproportionate cut in funding of nearly 70% for our Local Urban Regeneration Company in which the Scottish Government are a major shareholder.
This needs to be put in the context of the Scottish Government’s draft budget, where we believe the cut in Enterprise, Energy & Tourism provision is 5.9%. For your budget line Enterprise Policy & Delivery, which predominately covers the governments overall funding commitment to SE and HIE, we understand the reduction is only 2.8%.
Furthermore, on the basis of relative need in Scotland, you were party to a written agreement at a national level, for four Urban Regeneration Companies, Riverside Inverclyde, Irvine Bay, Clyde Gateway and Clyde Rebuilt to ring fence £12.5 million of specific funding for the current and next financial year. Agreed conditions were attached including the fact that the £12.5 million or any part of it could not be used in any other way by Scottish Enterprise to prop up budget reductions elsewhere. It would appear that this is precisely what has happened and we understand that SE has only allocated £6.8million to the four URCs which leaves a shortfall of £5.7million which is clearly a fundamental breach in the agreement.
Within a very tight budget Inverclyde Council’s Administration are totally committed to continuing funding Riverside Inverclyde in accordance with previous agreements and are proposing to allocate £2.1 million for the regeneration company next year. This has not been easy within a context of significant service reductions and job losses.
We would like an explanation of why Riverside Inverclyde has had an exceptionally harsh settlement and some sort of reassurance that both Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government will honour their principle allocation of £33 million and £36 million respectively as originally planned.
We are at the start of a long-term approach to the regeneration of Inverclyde and it must be maintained over the medium and longer term if we are going to turn the area’s economic fortunes around. So much has already been done that it would be devastating to our community to apply the financial brakes and lose the momentum that has been built up over recent years.
Yours sincerely
David Cairns MP, Duncan McNeill MSP, Trish Godman MSP, Councillor Stephen McCabe, Inverclyde Council Leader
70% Funding Cut for Urban Regeneration Company
We are writing to you as Cabinet Secretary responsible for Scottish Enterprise to express our deepest concern and shock at the extraordinary level of funding reduction for Inverclyde’s Urban Regeneration Company (URC), Riverside Inverclyde.
The company was jointly established in 2007 as a ten year initiative with funding being provided by the Scottish Government (£36 million), Scottish Enterprise (£33 million) and Inverclyde Council (£24 million) to transform Inverclyde’s waterfront area into a more attractive place for the private sector to invest and for jobs to be created in recognition of the significant levels of poverty, deprivation and associated unemployment in our area.
You will be aware that following the decline in major industries in the area, Inverclyde has seen the largest % decline in population of any Scottish Local Authority area in the period between 2001 – 2008. Over those 7 years, there was a 4% reduction in the population – compared with the Scottish population change over the same period, which has seen a 2.1% increase. With this significant population decline projected to continue, successful interventions via Riverside Inverclyde are a critical part of the solution.
Furthermore, 42% of the Inverclyde population live in areas which are defined as the most deprived 20% in Scotland with average earnings in Inverclyde 13% lower than the Scottish average, the fourth lowest in Scotland.
We fully appreciate the impact of the acute financial challenges facing Government and the entire public sector following the banking crisis and the subsequent downturn in global economic activity. However we cannot comprehend or begin to understand what equates to a significantly disproportionate cut in funding of nearly 70% for our Local Urban Regeneration Company in which the Scottish Government are a major shareholder.
This needs to be put in the context of the Scottish Government’s draft budget, where we believe the cut in Enterprise, Energy & Tourism provision is 5.9%. For your budget line Enterprise Policy & Delivery, which predominately covers the governments overall funding commitment to SE and HIE, we understand the reduction is only 2.8%.
Furthermore, on the basis of relative need in Scotland, you were party to a written agreement at a national level, for four Urban Regeneration Companies, Riverside Inverclyde, Irvine Bay, Clyde Gateway and Clyde Rebuilt to ring fence £12.5 million of specific funding for the current and next financial year. Agreed conditions were attached including the fact that the £12.5 million or any part of it could not be used in any other way by Scottish Enterprise to prop up budget reductions elsewhere. It would appear that this is precisely what has happened and we understand that SE has only allocated £6.8million to the four URCs which leaves a shortfall of £5.7million which is clearly a fundamental breach in the agreement.
Within a very tight budget Inverclyde Council’s Administration are totally committed to continuing funding Riverside Inverclyde in accordance with previous agreements and are proposing to allocate £2.1 million for the regeneration company next year. This has not been easy within a context of significant service reductions and job losses.
We would like an explanation of why Riverside Inverclyde has had an exceptionally harsh settlement and some sort of reassurance that both Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government will honour their principle allocation of £33 million and £36 million respectively as originally planned.
We are at the start of a long-term approach to the regeneration of Inverclyde and it must be maintained over the medium and longer term if we are going to turn the area’s economic fortunes around. So much has already been done that it would be devastating to our community to apply the financial brakes and lose the momentum that has been built up over recent years.
Yours sincerely
David Cairns MP, Duncan McNeill MSP, Trish Godman MSP, Councillor Stephen McCabe, Inverclyde Council Leader
Sunday, 23 January 2011
The week ahead...
Monday
7.00 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Attending a meeting of the Inverclyde Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
3.30 Policy & Resources Committe Pre-agenda
4.30 Special meeting of the Administration Group to discuss the Council's budget
6.30 Meeting of Woodhall Task Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.45 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
1.30 Burns' Concert at St Michael's Primary School
3.00 Teachers' Local Negotiating Committee
4.00 Education & Lifelong Learning Committee
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.00 Meeting with trade union officials
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day, with an evening Committee meeting
Friday
At COSLA for most of the day, returning to work mid afternoon
Saturday
9.30 Surgery at Kilmacolm Community Centre
7.00 Start work in Glasgow
1.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
2.00 Attending a meeting of the Inverclyde Alcohol and Drugs Partnership
3.30 Policy & Resources Committe Pre-agenda
4.30 Special meeting of the Administration Group to discuss the Council's budget
6.30 Meeting of Woodhall Task Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.45 Leave work to travel to Port Glasgow
1.30 Burns' Concert at St Michael's Primary School
3.00 Teachers' Local Negotiating Committee
4.00 Education & Lifelong Learning Committee
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum
2.30 Weekly meeting with the Chief Executive
4.00 Meeting with trade union officials
4.30 Weekly meeting of the Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of the Labour Group
Thursday
At work all day, with an evening Committee meeting
Friday
At COSLA for most of the day, returning to work mid afternoon
Saturday
9.30 Surgery at Kilmacolm Community Centre
Saturday, 22 January 2011
The real Mackay...
I received an SNP newspaper through my door this morning carrying the front page headline "Derek's the real Mackay".
The Mackay in question is Derek Mackay, the SNP Leader of Renfrewshire Council and his party's candidate in the Renfrewshire North and West seat at May's Scottish Parliament Election, where he will be going head to head with Labour's Stuart Clark.
The newspaper of course was telling us about what a wonderful job that Derek has been doing as Leader of Renfrewshire Council over the last three and a half years - a bit odd mind you since Kilmacolm is in Inverclyde. The only thing the SNP seem to have done for Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village is to issue a "local survey to hear local priorities".
The people of Kilmacolm and Quarriers should not fooled however: ask some of your friends who live in Renfrewshire and I am sure they will let you know about the "real Derek Mackay"!
The Mackay in question is Derek Mackay, the SNP Leader of Renfrewshire Council and his party's candidate in the Renfrewshire North and West seat at May's Scottish Parliament Election, where he will be going head to head with Labour's Stuart Clark.
The newspaper of course was telling us about what a wonderful job that Derek has been doing as Leader of Renfrewshire Council over the last three and a half years - a bit odd mind you since Kilmacolm is in Inverclyde. The only thing the SNP seem to have done for Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village is to issue a "local survey to hear local priorities".
The people of Kilmacolm and Quarriers should not fooled however: ask some of your friends who live in Renfrewshire and I am sure they will let you know about the "real Derek Mackay"!
Too many Leaders?
Out leafleting in Kilmacolm this morning I bumped into a rather confused Greenock SNP Councillor Chris Osborne who was also leafleting on behalf of his party. Not knowing Kilmacolm that well, Chris was clearly lost.
Mind you that does not surprise me given that his whole Group do not seem to know where they are going at the moment.
Rumours are sweeping the corridors of power in Greenock that SNP Group Leader Jim MacLeod has resigned following a major fallout with his colleagues and been replaced by Innes Nelson. I should stress that I have not yet heard this officially.
If the rumours are true this will mean that the SNP Group have their third Leader in as many years - and there are only five of them! It must be a fair bet that both Chris Osborne and Jim Grieve will get a turn before the Council term comes to an end in May 2012.
Mind you that does not surprise me given that his whole Group do not seem to know where they are going at the moment.
Rumours are sweeping the corridors of power in Greenock that SNP Group Leader Jim MacLeod has resigned following a major fallout with his colleagues and been replaced by Innes Nelson. I should stress that I have not yet heard this officially.
If the rumours are true this will mean that the SNP Group have their third Leader in as many years - and there are only five of them! It must be a fair bet that both Chris Osborne and Jim Grieve will get a turn before the Council term comes to an end in May 2012.
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Parklea Update...
At the Council's Regeneration Committee today officers provided an update on the next phase of the Parklea development - the construction of the community stadium and changing pavilion.
Tenders have been issued for this £4.8m project, with a return date of 2 March. If all goes to plan work should start sometime in April, with an estimated completion date of June 2012.
Tenders have been issued for this £4.8m project, with a return date of 2 March. If all goes to plan work should start sometime in April, with an estimated completion date of June 2012.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Collapse in Lib Dem vote...
I see from the latest opinion poll that the Scottish Lib Dems are paying the price of their party's coalition with the Tories.
Their support for Holyrood - now standing at 7% - is less than half what it was at the 2007 election. Things are not looking good for this May's election.
Who knows, Gourock Councillor George White might just win Argyll & Bute for The Liberal Party after all!
Their support for Holyrood - now standing at 7% - is less than half what it was at the 2007 election. Things are not looking good for this May's election.
Who knows, Gourock Councillor George White might just win Argyll & Bute for The Liberal Party after all!
Sunday, 16 January 2011
The week ahead...
Monday
9.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Administration meeting to discuss the budget
6.30 Meeting of Port Glasgow Shared Campus Working Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee
6.00 Surgery at St Francis' Primary School
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Weekly meeting with Chief Executive
3.00 Budget meetings
4.30 Weekly meeting of Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of Regeneration Committee
7.00 Meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association
Friday
8.30 Meeting with MP and MSPs
11.00 Start work in Glasgow
9.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Administration meeting to discuss the budget
6.30 Meeting of Port Glasgow Shared Campus Working Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee
6.00 Surgery at St Francis' Primary School
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
12.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
1.30 Weekly meeting with Chief Executive
3.00 Budget meetings
4.30 Weekly meeting of Administration Group
5.30 Weekly meeting of Labour Group
Thursday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of Regeneration Committee
7.00 Meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association
Friday
8.30 Meeting with MP and MSPs
11.00 Start work in Glasgow
Friday, 14 January 2011
Labour Victory...
Congratulations to Labour Candidate Debbie Abrahams on her comfortable victory in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election. Given the background to the by-election to increase the Labour majority from 103 at the general election to over 3,500 was a very good result.
While the Lib Dems' share of the vote might have held up it is clear that was because many Tory voters switched to them to try to defeat Labour. It is also clear that many people who voted Lib Dem at the general election switched to Labour.
I suspect that the Lib Dems will suffer badly at May's Scottish Parliament election for their decision to go into coalition with the Tories.
While the Lib Dems' share of the vote might have held up it is clear that was because many Tory voters switched to them to try to defeat Labour. It is also clear that many people who voted Lib Dem at the general election switched to Labour.
I suspect that the Lib Dems will suffer badly at May's Scottish Parliament election for their decision to go into coalition with the Tories.
Welcome increase in voter registration...
I attended the quarterly meeting of the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board in Paisley today and was pleased to hear that following the annual canvass of electors the number of registered electors in Inverclyde has increased from 59,284 in December 2009 to 61,363 in December 2010. This increase of over 2,000 in the electoral roll is most welcome and a good return for the additional resources that the Board allocated to the annual canvass.
The electoral register is of course updated on a rolling basis, so anyone still to register can do so at anytime. Those looking to vote in May's Scottish Parliament Election however must ensure that they are registered before 15 April.
The electoral register is of course updated on a rolling basis, so anyone still to register can do so at anytime. Those looking to vote in May's Scottish Parliament Election however must ensure that they are registered before 15 April.
Thursday, 13 January 2011
No black hole in the Council's Finances...
Despite claims to the contrary, there is no 'black hole' in the Council's finances.
While the news regarding the Council's Future Operating Model is extremely disappointing - and is the subject of an ongoing investigation - alternative savings have been identified, which mean that the budget gap that has to be closed is of a similar order to that advised to Elected Members before Christmas.
We are still faced with making some very difficult conditions, just like other Councils the length and breadth of the UK. I am confident however that due to our prudent financial management over the last few years we will be able to avoid some of the severe cuts to services that have been made by other Councils.
There will be no closures of community facilities in Inverclyde.
There will be no reduction in school transport entitlement in Inverclyde.
We will protect services to the most vulnerable in our community and continue to prioritise investment in our schools.
I certainly don't need lessons on how to lead the Council from my immediate predecessor. He was so successful that the size of the Lib Dem Group has reduced from 13 to a rump of 3.
While the news regarding the Council's Future Operating Model is extremely disappointing - and is the subject of an ongoing investigation - alternative savings have been identified, which mean that the budget gap that has to be closed is of a similar order to that advised to Elected Members before Christmas.
We are still faced with making some very difficult conditions, just like other Councils the length and breadth of the UK. I am confident however that due to our prudent financial management over the last few years we will be able to avoid some of the severe cuts to services that have been made by other Councils.
There will be no closures of community facilities in Inverclyde.
There will be no reduction in school transport entitlement in Inverclyde.
We will protect services to the most vulnerable in our community and continue to prioritise investment in our schools.
I certainly don't need lessons on how to lead the Council from my immediate predecessor. He was so successful that the size of the Lib Dem Group has reduced from 13 to a rump of 3.
Double boost for Kilmacolm...
Work has started on the new £150,000 floodlit multi-use games area in Kilmacolm's Birkmyre Park.
The MUGA - which will be available for a variety of sports, including football, tennis and netball - will be situated on the site of dilapidated tennis courts. This investment in Birkmyre Park adds to previous investments by the Council in the refurbishment of the pavilion and play area, and the re-opening of the putting green.
The MUGA should be ready for use sometime in March.
In another boost for Kilmacolm the new community centre and library buildings should hopefully be handed over by the contractor at the end of this month, following a number of delays. The new facilities - which have cost around £2.5m - will be a great improvement on the existing facilities and I am sure that residents of the village will be delighted by what they see when they get the opportunity to have a look around next month.
The MUGA - which will be available for a variety of sports, including football, tennis and netball - will be situated on the site of dilapidated tennis courts. This investment in Birkmyre Park adds to previous investments by the Council in the refurbishment of the pavilion and play area, and the re-opening of the putting green.
The MUGA should be ready for use sometime in March.
In another boost for Kilmacolm the new community centre and library buildings should hopefully be handed over by the contractor at the end of this month, following a number of delays. The new facilities - which have cost around £2.5m - will be a great improvement on the existing facilities and I am sure that residents of the village will be delighted by what they see when they get the opportunity to have a look around next month.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
The week ahead...
Back to normal tomorrow with the first full week after the festive period:
Monday
9.30 Start work in Glasgow
4.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
5.00 Special meeting of the Labour Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Briefing for Elected Members
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
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
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of the Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership Sub-Committee
4.00 Briefing for Elected Members
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Paisley
2.00 Meeting of Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
3.00 Return to work
Monday
9.30 Start work in Glasgow
4.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
5.00 Special meeting of the Labour Group
Tuesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
3.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
4.00 Briefing for Elected Members
7.00 Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association
Wednesday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Greenock
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
2.00 Leave work to travel to Greenock
3.00 Meeting of the Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership Sub-Committee
4.00 Briefing for Elected Members
Friday
7.30 Start work in Glasgow
1.30 Leave work to travel to Paisley
2.00 Meeting of Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board
3.00 Return to work
Friday, 7 January 2011
Filling the holes...
With the snow having cleared - well at least temporarily - the damage to our roads and footways is clear for all to see.
Following discussion with the Committee Convener, my colleague Robert Moran, I have asked officers to bring forward a report to the Council's Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee on 18 January with a proposal to allocate an additional £400,000 to the Committee's budget to assist with dealing with the most urgent repairs. The money will come equally from the Council's contingency fund and general reserve.
I would hope that COSLA's representations to the Scottish Government will result in some additional funding being allocated to Inverclyde and other local authorities given the extreme nature of the weather conditions we have faced this winter.
Following discussion with the Committee Convener, my colleague Robert Moran, I have asked officers to bring forward a report to the Council's Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee on 18 January with a proposal to allocate an additional £400,000 to the Committee's budget to assist with dealing with the most urgent repairs. The money will come equally from the Council's contingency fund and general reserve.
I would hope that COSLA's representations to the Scottish Government will result in some additional funding being allocated to Inverclyde and other local authorities given the extreme nature of the weather conditions we have faced this winter.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Rembering Pat Arkley...
At our first Labour Group meeting of the New Year tonight we observed a minute's silence in memory of Labour Party stalwart Pat Arkley who died suddenly this week.
I have known Pat since I joined the Party over 27 years ago and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. For many years he was the local party's chief fundraiser and general Mr Fixit. He was also a party delegate to the Labour Group for a good number of years, acting as an important link between the party and group.
Pat was active in the trade union movement, being a key figure in the local trades council and the Inverclyde Advice and Employment Rights' Centre.
The thoughts of the Labour Group are with Pat's wife and family.
The Labour and Trade Union movement has lost a dear son. He will be greatly missed.
I have known Pat since I joined the Party over 27 years ago and was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. For many years he was the local party's chief fundraiser and general Mr Fixit. He was also a party delegate to the Labour Group for a good number of years, acting as an important link between the party and group.
Pat was active in the trade union movement, being a key figure in the local trades council and the Inverclyde Advice and Employment Rights' Centre.
The thoughts of the Labour Group are with Pat's wife and family.
The Labour and Trade Union movement has lost a dear son. He will be greatly missed.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Happy New Year...
Happy New Year.
It doesn't seem a year since I started this blog - it feels like ten!
Hopefully regular readers will have found it interesting and informative.
I will aim to continue making regular posts during 2011, keeping you up to date with developments within the Council and my work as a ward Councillor. I will also continue to comment on Scottish and UK political issues.
2011 is of course an election year, with the Scottish Parliament Election due on 5 May. This is also the date of the UK wide referendum on the proposed change to the voting system for Westminster Parliament elections.
My priority will be to help my Labour colleagues Duncan McNeil and Stuart Clark get elected in their respective constituencies. I will leave the referendum to others.
It doesn't seem a year since I started this blog - it feels like ten!
Hopefully regular readers will have found it interesting and informative.
I will aim to continue making regular posts during 2011, keeping you up to date with developments within the Council and my work as a ward Councillor. I will also continue to comment on Scottish and UK political issues.
2011 is of course an election year, with the Scottish Parliament Election due on 5 May. This is also the date of the UK wide referendum on the proposed change to the voting system for Westminster Parliament elections.
My priority will be to help my Labour colleagues Duncan McNeil and Stuart Clark get elected in their respective constituencies. I will leave the referendum to others.
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