Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Monthly Report...

The Council set a two-year budget covering the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013 last February. Following confirmation of our funding from the Scottish Government we will review the budget for 2012/13 at a special Council meeting on 9 February.

Despite a cut in our funding from the Government, the prudent approach to financial management we have taken in the last few years means that we will not require to make any further service reductions. In fact we will be in a position to allocate additional one-off funding to a number of areas, including road repairs and our flood action plan.

Further down the line however the picture is not as good. Year on year cuts in Scottish Government funding, inflationary pressures and increasing service demands will require the new Council elected in May to take some very tough decisions.

Regular users of the road between Kilmacolm and Bridge Of Weir will be aware of the dangerous conditions caused by surface water. The Council has been working with Renfrewshire Council to address this problem.

In response to complaints, and in order to improve response times in clearing snow from footpaths leading to local schools and around the centre of the village, the Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Ian Moffat, has agreed to locate a mini tractor, snow blower and pedestrian plough within Kilmacolm. The equipment will be operated by a dedicated crew who will have access to a fleet vehicle that will allow them to travel direct to Kilmacolm from home instead of going to the Port Glasgow Depot for instructions. Mr Moffat is also looking at how the gritting of the main footpaths to schools can be improved. 

The Council’s Christmas Trees drop off service at Birkmyre Park proved successful, with 20 trees deposited at the site. These were removed and taken to the depot at Parklea and put through the 'chipper'. The fresh chipped material will be used on the walkways in woodland parks and the decomposed material will be used as mulch on shrub beds and rose beds.

The Council’s Roads Service is proposing to introduce a ‘20s Plenty’ zone around the centre of Kilmacolm, in order to improve pedestrian safety. This will complement the new pedestrian crossing point to be installed on Lochwinnoch Road at the entrance to the main village car park.

Additional car parking spaces are to be provided in the Lochwinnoch Road and Pullman car parks, which should more than compensate for any on-street spaces lost due to the new crossing point. New signage will also be introduced to direct visitors to the three Council-owned car parks in the village.

These works should be carried out within the next few months.

The £25,000 extension to the Council play area at West Glen Park should be carried out this month. Local children were consulted on the design of the extension so I am hoping they will be pleased with the outcome.