Funding boost for Clune Park...

As part of the Labour-led Administration's budget last week I was able to announce a further £1m of funding for the Clune Park area of Port Glasgow, bringing the Council's total funding commitment to nearly £1.9m.

For too long the scale of the financial challenge of tackling the atrocious housing conditions in the Clune Park area has paralysed public agencies. As both Council Leader and a ward Councillor I am determined that this time we will not fail the good people of Clune Park. 

I only hope that the Council’s ambitions for Clune Park are matched by the Scottish Government, for without their financial support to provide new housing for residents out with the area; Clune Park is destined to face a slow and lingering death. We cannot allow this to happen.

Of course the uncertainty over housing funding is not only affecting Clune Park: its also impacting on residents in areas like Woodhall.

Despite the additional funding for housing announced last week, I would very much question whether the Scottish Government has got its capital spending priorities right. Giving people decent homes to live in would come before building yet another bridge across the River Forth in my book.