More evidence of SNP infighting...

Following on from attempts by SNP Councillors to have one of their colleagues removed as a candidate fresh evidence of turmoil within the ranks of Inverclyde SNP has surfaced.

This time the candidate in focus is the little known Professor Alex de Ruyter who is standing in Inverclyde North.

An anonymous press release has been issued, clearly by someone within the SNP, claiming that the "SNP candidate for Ward 3 Inverclyde North is actually an Ozzie who works in England."

Mr de Ruyter is described as an SNP apparatchik with no connection to Greenock. The press release claims that he only joined the SNP within the past year and has been parachuted into the constituency by friends in the party.

It says that Mr de Ruyter lives and works in Cantebury in England and only commutes north to establish visibility and campaign in Inverclyde North.

If - and I have no reason to doubt it - Mr de Ruyter does live and work in the South of England it would interesting to know how he intends to discharge his council duties if he is elected on 3 May.

Perhaps the answer lies in the SNP's manifesto where they talk about streaming Council meetings over the Internet?

The voters of Inverclyde North deserve to know the answer.

Inverclyde SNP breaking election law..

The Council's Returning Officer John Mundell has written to all election candidates in Inverclyde reminding them that posters on display must, by law, have an imprint. Mr Mundell has advised agents and candidates that they must remove any posters that do not not have an imprint by close of business tomorrow (27 April).

Inspection of the posters on display suggests that the SNP are the biggest sinners as they have hundreds of posters across  Inverclyde - including six in my street - that do not have an imprint. I am sure as law abiding citizens Inverclyde's SNP candidates will comply with the Returning Officer's instruction.

I expect to return home tomorrow night to find the posters in my street gone!

SNP at the wind up...

I woke this morning to SNP signs on the lamp posts on part of the street outside my house. Clearly a crack (pot) SNP squad  had been sent in the dead of night on a daring raid to wind me up. There were no signs in the rest of the street or in the surrounding streets.

Personally I thought it was quite funny. Not sure my neighbours will see it that way mind you.

Could it just be the case that the SNP are rattled if they are resorting to such childish pranks?

The week ahead...

Second last week of campaigning this week:
Monday
At work until 1.30 then down to Port Glasgow for some election visits and leafleting.
Tuesday
At work until 1.00 then down to Greenock for an Inverclyde Alliance community planning workshop at 2.00. I have a number of potential meetings in the evening but I might have to give these a miss to leaflet.
Wednesday
At work until 3.30 followed by a briefing by the Chief Executive of Riverside Inverclyde at 4.30. More campaigning in the evening.
Thursday
At work all day with an evening committee meeting, so a night off campaigning.
Friday
Another full day at work.

The man who shot Liberty Valance...

I was reminded of one of my favourite Westerns today when I read the Tory candidate's leaflet for Port Glasgow.

The big man is wanting to take all the credit for the new community stadium at Parklea and has enlisted the Secretary of Port Glasgow Juniors, Peter Loughlin, to vouch for him. Just like the movie however the real hero does not get the credit he deserves.

I know - and David knows - who did the most to bring Port Glasgow Juniors home. He might be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the likes of Peter Loughlin but the truth will win out in the end.

Port Glasgow 'Park and Ride' takes step forward...

I was delighted today to sign off my approval for tenders to be issued for the design and construction of the Council's new £740,000 'park and ride' facility at the site of the former Highholm Primary School site in Port Glasgow. The new facility is being funded by a grant from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until 2.00 then picking my kids up from school. Out campaigning in the evening.
Tuesday
A full day at work. Hope to attend St Stephen's High School Parent Council in the evening with some campaigning beforehand.
Wednesday
A full day at work. I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Annual Musical Evening at night.
Thursday
Another full day at work. I am planning to attend the Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association meeting in the evening.
Friday
A full day at work. Campaigning in the evening.

SNP and Lib Dems must clarify position on Ardgowan...

Both Inverclyde SNP and Inverclyde Lib Dems have indicated that they are considering building a new primary school - presumably for Ardgowan Primary School - on the site of the former Greenock Academy once 'Waterloo Road' leaves.

Given that last month the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee approved a £4.5m refurbishment of Ardgowan, starting in July next year, the SNP and Lib Dems must clarify whether or not this refurbishment will go ahead if they take control of the Council next month.

If their preferred option is a new school they must tell us when they expect work to start on this new school and how they are going to fund it, since this will cost considerably more than refurbishment of the existing building.

They must also clarify their position in respect of 'Waterloo Road'.

Will they agree to extend the current 2 year lease when it expires in 2014 if Shed Productions wish to continue making 'Waterloo Road' in Greenock or should Shed start looking for a new home?

We deserve answers to these questions now.

Lib Dems playing politics with education again...

At the full Council on Thursday my Labour colleague Jim Clocherty highlighted the fact that the local Liberal Democrats are playing politics with our children's education just like they did at the 2003 and 2007 elections.

Their candidate for Ward 3 (Inverclyde North), which covers Central and West Greenock, has been claiming in his election leaflets that the West End's two primary schools - St Mary's and Ardgowan - are at the end of the queue for refurbishment. This of course is just a downright lie as Jim pointed out at the Council meeting.


Only last month the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee UNANIMOUSLY approved a proposal that Ardgowan would be the next primary school to undergo major refurbishment, starting in July 2013, at a budgeted cost of £4.5m. At the same meeting the Committee endorsed Labour’s budget proposal – which Liberal Democrat and SNP Councillors voted against - to spend £2.6m on a number of other primary schools over the next two years, including £604,000 on St Mary’s for electrical rewiring, toilet refurbishment, new floor finishes, decoration and new external doors.

Since May 2007 the Labour-led Council has invested £581,000 in improvements at St Mary’s and a further £426,000 on Ardgowan. This is significantly more than the previous Liberal Democrat Administration spent on these schools between 2003 and 2007.


While the Lib Dems successfully played politics with their campaign to keep Wellington Academy open at the 2003 election, only to vote to close it shortly after the election, they were hammered at the 2007 election for the arrogant way they handled the school estates programme. 


They clearly have not learnt any lessons.


I was speaking to a Lib Dem activist today who told me that the local leadership had been warned against using these tactics again but the warnings were ignored.


I suspect that parents in Greenock's West End will be far from pleased that their children are being used in this way by a discredited party who are on the verge of electoral wipe out.


There are some good people in Inverclyde Liberal Democrats.


When are they going to stop listening to Alan Blair, who has led them so disastrously since 2003?


He is yesterday's man.


If there is ever to be a way back for the Lib Dems - remember they had 13 out of 20 Councillors before the 2007 election and now have just 3 - they must learn a bit of humility and quickly!

A warm Inverclyde welcome...not!

I see that hot on the heels of West of Scotland SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, Inverclyde's Liberal Democrats are suggesting that the former Greenock Academy site could be used for a new primary school or schools when the current two-year lease to Shed Media comes to an end.

I find this so bizarre.

For the first time in our history a prime time national television show - 'Waterloo Road - is being filmed in Inverclyde and rather working towards retaining this excellent opportunity for our local area for as long as possible, all the SNP and Lib Dems want to talk about is what we will do with the site when Shed Media move out! So much for giving the cast and crew of 'Waterloo Road' a warm Inverclyde welcome.

Even more strange is the suggestion from both Mr McMillan and the Lib Dems that the site could be used for a new building for Ardgowan Primary School, less than a month after the Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Committee UNANIMOUSLY approved plans for a multi-million pound refurbishment of the existing Ardgowan Primary School, with work due to start in July 2013.

It seems that again the Lib Dems and now also their friends in the SNP are playing politics with our children's education. This is nothing short of disgraceful.

When are these people going to learn?

The week ahead...

Monday
A public holiday but not if you are standing for election on 3 May.
Tuesday
At work until 1.30 then have meetings at 2.00 (Monton Place Residents' Committee) 3.00 (Port Glasgow Traders' Association), 4.00 (All Members' briefing by the Chief Executive on his proposed new management and committee structures), 5.00 (weekly meeting with the Chief Executive) and 7.00 (Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association).
Wednesday
At work until mid afternoon and then down to Greenock for meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and Labour Group at 5.30, followed by some campaign work.
Thursday
At work until 2.00 and then down to Greenock for the last full Council meeting before the election. More campaign work in the evening.
Friday
Full day at work.

Visit to Sangamo...

I was delighted to visit the Sangamo factory in Port Glasgow this morning along with my Labour colleagues Duncan McNeil MSP and Iain McKenzie MP, and a number of other invited guests, for the formal launch of the company's new website.

We heard from Managing Director Mark Robinson on how the company has developed over the last few years and their plans for future growth through a new product range. I was pleased to hear that they have received invaluable support from Scottish Enterprise in developing their new business strategy.

Sangamo currently employ 20 people - 18 of whom live in Inverclyde. They are keen to take on more staff over the next few years as the business grows. I was particularly pleased that Mark indicated a willingness to work with the Council, Job Centre Plus and other agencies to create apprenticeship and employment experience placements for local people.

The new website address is www.sangamo.co.uk

It contains a lot of tips on how to save energy, so is well worth a visit.

 

Who is delivering the SNP's leaflets?

I spent this morning in the beautiful and tranquil setting of Quarrier's Village delivering my election leaflets. I arrived about 8.30 to find that the SNP has been there first, or so I thought!

A number of copies of Inverclyde SNP's 8 page election newspaper 'The Inverclyde Independent' (note to SNP: the vast majority of people won't read an 8 page election paper) were lying around one property I went into. One of the residents drew my attention to the the fact that wrapped in the middle of the newspaper were two promotional leaflets for Greenock based businesses. He concluded that the professional distributor who was being paid to deliver the promotional leaflets was at the same time delivering the SNP's newspaper - killing two birds with one stone as the saying goes.

Fair enough some people might say. Well perhaps not.

If the SNP are paying the distributor to deliver their newspaper because they do not have enough activists on the ground then as long these payments are recorded as part of their election expenses that would probably be OK.

If on the other the other hand the distributor is being paid to deliver promotional flyers for local businesses looking for work in these hard pressed times, if I was one of these companies I would not be happy about my flyers being stuck inside a political newspaper, most likely to end up in the blue bin without anyone reading them. I would also not be happy that my business was being associated with a political party without my agreement.

This shoddy practise also exposes the fact that Inverclyde SNP clearly do not have the activists they claim to have.

While some of us are taking holidays from work and relying on friends, family and party members to deliver our leaflets the SNP in Inverclyde are either paying someone to deliver theirs, or even worse using a service that has been paid for by hard pressed local businesses without their knowledge.

They should come clean on what they are doing.

SNP MSP misleads Parliament....

In the Scottish Parliament on 29 March SNP MSP for the West of Scotland Region Stuart McMillan falsely and maliciously claimed that Labour-led Inverclyde Council was planning to cut the number of Council welfare rights workers. Mr McMillan should apologise for misleading Parliament over this matter and for the false accusation he has levelled at Councillors in the current Administration.


Over the past number of months officers within the Council and Health Board have been working with voluntary sector partners to review the provision of advice services in Inverclyde to identify areas of overlap and gaps in provision. The purpose if this review - which was supported by all groups in the Council, including the SNP - is to ensure that agencies use their combined resources more effectively for the benefit of local residents.


As part of the over all review there has been an ongoing internal review of services provided by the Council and Health Board through the Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP). This internal review has not yet been reported to elected members and therefore no political decisions have been taken. 


As Leader of the Council and Chair of the Inverclyde Alliance Board I have sought - and received - assurances from the Director of Inverclyde CHCP, Robert Murphy, that no reductions are proposed in the level of staffing across his services.


Mr Murphy has stated:  “The proposed redesign will see no reduction in the number of permanent core service staff and the proposals which are still being developed will have no adverse effect on the quality or capacity of the service provided.  To be absolutely clear, the CHCP have not and will not be considering any proposals to reduce Welfare Rights Officers.  There is currently 15 core welfare advice staff and there will be at least 15 core welfare advice staff in the future.  It is regrettable that some of the reported misinformation has been unnecessarily alarmist.”

"At no time has there been any attempt to use the review to reduce the level of service. In fact the main reason behind the redesign was to ensure the service is fit for purpose in providing the best possible service required by those who use it. The outcome of the redesign has been generally acceptable to all concerned including the trade unions."

"Contrary to what has been reported, core services will be maintained at least at their current level and indeed staff positions are secure. A number of posts have been funded externally, which is always subject to review, and every effort has been made by the management team to continue these posts. Indeed we have been very grateful to McMillan Cancer who have been a strong supporter of the service within Inverclyde and we are working with them to ensure that they will be for years to come. I can confirm their investment will be supplemented by the CHCP to continue their excellent work."

"Perhaps most importantly, the redesign of service is still underway and no decisions have yet been made. This process will continue with the co-operation and involvement of all partners including the trade unions, to ensure the quality and excellent service provided in Inverclyde is maintained. The finalised proposals have not yet been discussed with Elected Members and when finalised they will be submitted for their consideration, scrutiny and approval.

"In addition to the above, the issues relating to the Welfare Reform Bill will also be progressed.  Inverclyde Council is not complacent about the possible impact of the Welfare Reform Bill. It is clear that the Council and the Alliance Board are aware of the issues and acknowledge the need for all agencies and partners to plan ahead. This will allow us to meet the challenge and to make the best possible use of the resources available, across the partnership."

I hope that Mr McMillan will be big enough now to apologise for misleading Parliament and for the unfounded accusation he has levelled as members of my Administration.

Council Tax collection at record level...

I was delighted to hear today that the Council collected 94.2% of Council Tax income due for the financial year 2011/12, which ended on 31 March. This is a 0.2% increase on the previous year and is the highest ever in-year collection rate achieved by the Council.

This record performance is all the more pleasing given that we are in the middle of the worst economic recession in our lifetime.

 I would like to thank Council staff who have worked hard to achieve this level of performance and all the Council Tax payers who are making a vital contribution to the funding of important local services.

SNP must clarify position on Waterloo Road...

I am delighted to see that filming has started on the next series of school drama 'Waterloo Road' at its new set in the former Greenock Academy building. The relocation of 'Waterloo Road' to Inverclyde is a major boost for the area.

I am concerned to hear however that SNP MSP Stuart McMillan is actively canvassing residents in the west end of Greenock over the future of the site once the Council's initial lease with Shed Productions expires in two years time. Unlike Mr McMillan, I and my Labour colleagues would like to see 'Waterloo Road' remain in Inverclyde for a long number of years to come.

Given that Mr McMillan's SNP colleagues are bidding to win control of the Council in May it is important that they clarify their position in relation to 'Waterloo Road'. They should tell us if they do succeed in forming the next Administration will they actively work to retain production of 'Waterloo Road' in Inverclyde or are they looking to use the site for other purposes.

I await their response.

Who are the Lib Dems trying to kid?

I see that Port Glasgow's two Lib Dem candidates have come up with a grand plan to improve Port Glasgow Town Centre.

Point 1 - abandon the proposed park and ride at Highholm and build houses instead on the site with the park and ride at Bogston or Woodhall.

Comment: Bogston is less suitable for a park and ride as it is on the Gourock line; the only sites at Woodhall are owned by River Clyde Homes and earmarked for housing; Woodhall is a limited stop halt. The Council already has plans for further new housing near to the town centre at Lower Mary Street.

Point 2 - provide a new shoppers car park off Princes Street.

Comment: This has already been agreed as part of the Labour-led Administration's £1m investment in the town centre, which Liberal Democrat Councillors voted against. Work on the car park should commence within the next few months.

Point 3 - cuts rents for Council owned shops.

Comment: The Council is willing to negotiate with prospective tenants over rents and can offer rent free periods in certain circumstances.

Point 4 - keep Council jobs in Port Glasgow.

Comment: The Council is planning to establish a customer service centre in Port Glasgow in one of the vacant shop units.

Labour's plan for Port Glasgow Town Centre is a bit more ambitious:

• £1m investment to improve shop fronts; provide a new car park; environmental improvements; and create a new entrance way at the eastern end of the town centre, complementing major works completed over the last few years;
• Work with owners to develop plans for empty and derelict properties, including potential redevelopment for housing;
• Utilise funding from SPT to give a major facelift to the bus station and create a park and ride facility, which should free up parking spaces within the town centre for shoppers;
• Upgrade Coronation Park, with an extension to the children's play park already completed.

Lib Dem Councillor hoping to pass on the baton...

I see from the latest issue of 'The Advertizer' free magazine that outgoing Ward 1 Lib Dem Councillor Tom Fyfe is hoping to 'pass the baton' to his friend and Lib Dem colleague John Watson.

I wonder if that means that John is planning to hold the same number of advice surgeries in the next 5 years as Tom has in the last 5? Tom of course has the unenviable record of being the Councillor who held the fewest surgeries in this Council term. Even an SNP Councillor who was off sick for nearly 2 years held more.

I wonder if, like Tom, John is planning not to attend parent council meetings in the next 5 years?

Of course it is not just parent council meetings that he did not attend. His attendance record at community councils and tenants' and residents' associations was not much better.

Such is Tom's lack of profile in the Ward that I and the other two Ward 1 Councillors regularly get emails from people who think there are only three councillors for the Ward.

Mind you one has to ask what the local Liberal Democrat Association and local party members - including John Watson - were doing when Tom was short changing his constituents - to the tune of £18,00 a year - for the past 5 years? Turning a blind eye it would appear.

Why then would we trust them with the baton for another 5 years?

The week ahead...

I have taken the week off work to deliver election leaflets.
Monday
Leafleting early a.m. before a trip to the dentist for a check up. I will be leafleting again after that for another few hours. I have the pre-agenda for the next meeting of Inverclyde Council at 3.30 and will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group at 6.45.
Tuesday
A full day campaigning.
Wednesday
Leafleting until mid afternoon with meetings of the Administration Group at 4.30 and Labour Group at 5.30.
Thursday
Campaigning most of the day apart from a visit to the Sangamo Factory in the morning and Parklea Bowling Club at lunchtime.
Friday
Another full day's campaigning.