A momentous year...

I would like to wish all my constituents a happy and prosperous New Year.

2014 could be a momentous year for all of us. With the independence referendum in September we face the very real prospect of the breakup of our United Kingdom: over 300 years of common history swept away in a tide of nationalist fervour.

It certainly will be a momentous year for me on a personal level as I reach the ripe old age of fifty!

When I first became involved in politics over 30 years ago it was to help change my community and my country for the better. That continues to be the motivation for me doing what I do.

There is still much I would like to change about my country but I am quite certain that I don’t want to change countries. Separation might be the road to a socialist paradise for some: it is not for me.

I am proud to be Scottish and proud to be British. I see no need to choose between the two. The bonds between the peoples of these islands should be cherished and celebrated not broken asunder. Ours is the most successful political union in history.

We Scots are not an oppressed people. We have been at the very heart of the British state and empire since the Act of Union, wielding significant power and influence.

We are also not a homogeneous people. There are as many social and political differences between Scots as there are between Scots and people from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It is very revealing that the majority of our young people appear to be rejecting separation. Young people have less regard for borders and national differences. They are more interested in what unites than divides us.

Young people feel a real sense of connection to our friends, family and neighbours in the rest of the UK. They are outward-looking and don’t want to put up barriers to opportunity. 

My number one political priority in 2014 will be to campaign for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. I fervently believe as a nation we are stronger together and that we would be significantly weaker apart.

On the campaign trail in Cowdenbeath...

My colleague James McColgan and I went through to Cowdenbeath today to support fellow Labour Councillor Alex Rowley, Labour's candidate in the upcoming by-election for the Scottish Parliament. We were joined by a number of colleagues from Renfrewshire Council, including Council Leader Mark MacMillan.

It was great too see so many Labour Party members out supporting Alex today, giving up time from their Christmas holidays. With the by-election only a few weeks away Fife Labour are taking nothing for granted.

The week ahead...

A short week due to the Christmas holidays:

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I have my final surgery of 2013 in Clune Park Community Resource Centre.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon then off for the next three days.
Wednesday
Public holiday
Thursday
Public holiday
Friday
On holiday from work. May be popping through to Fife to do some work in the Cowdenbeath Scottish Parliament by-election.

Marking a key milestone...

Last week saw the opening to pupils of the new Port Glasgow Community Campus, a key milestone in the Council’s school estate strategy as it marks the completion of the rebuilding of both our secondary and additional support needs estates. This is a tremendous achievement for the Council and all those who have played their part in bringing it about.

When I look back to 2007 things were not quite as bright. The then Liberal Democrat Administration had decided to refurbish both Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools and to rezone catchment areas to fill up surplus places. Notre Dame and St Columba’s were to be merged in a new school in Dunlop Street and there were no plans on the table for refurbishing or replacing Lilybank and Glenburn Schools or the Mearns Centre.

I remember standing up at a full Council meeting just before that year’s election and being ridiculed by Lib Dem Councillors when I promised that an incoming Labour Administration would change their plans and produce a more comprehensive and inclusive school estate strategy that placed our children with additional support needs at the very heart of it.

Six years on we have delivered on that promise with the new Clydeview Academy and the new Notre Dame, St Columba’s, Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools. We have brought Lilybank and Glenburn together in the new state of the art Craigmarloch School and the Mearns Centre has been replaced by the new Lomond View Academy.

Easily the most contentious proposal back in 2007 was for Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools to share a campus. Some saw this as the slippery slope to integration while others felt it did not go far enough as they wanted a single school. I remember being warned by one of my then Labour colleagues that Port Glasgow was not yet ready for a shared campus and that we would face major opposition if we went ahead with the proposal.

He was certainly right that there was opposition, much of it covert rather than overt. It was the most difficult period of my political career to date, more challenging even than this summer’s gypsy travellers’ site consultation and that is saying something!

I am glad to say however that we were able eventually to bring most of the key stakeholders on board by developing a shared understanding and vision of what we wanted to achieve. 

The rest is history as they say.

The school communities of Port Glasgow and St Stephen’s High Schools have risen to the challenge. They have demonstrated that people of different denominations and none can co-exist in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. They are setting an example to us all.

The new campus is a superb environment, in which our children can learn and achieve their potential. It supports the sustainability of Port Glasgow by guaranteeing the continuation of denominational and non-denominational secondary education for future generations and it builds on the legacy of Lilybank and Glenburn Schools by providing our children and young people with additional support needs with the facilities they so richly deserve.

I am immensely proud of this achievement.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Policy & Resources Executive Sub-Committee at 2.30 and the Inverclyde Alliance Board at 3.30. In the evening I will be attending the Notre Dame High School Christmas Concert in Greenock.
Tuesday
I have taken a day's leave from work as I am on the interview panel for the post of Head of Legal and Property Services. The interviews are scheduled to last all day. In the evening I will be attending a River Clyde Homes Board social event.
Wednesday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for an all members' budget update briefing and a meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
At work until lunchtime then to Greenock for a meeting of the Riverside Inverclyde Board. I will then be returning to work in Glasgow for a meeting at 6.00.
Friday
At work all day.

The week ahead...

Monday
I have an early morning meeting with Clyde Valley Council Leaders in Glasgow, then off to work for the rest of the day. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Regeneration Task Group.
Tuesday
At work all day. In the evening I have a surgery at Kilmacolm Community Centre followed by a meeting of Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Wednesday
At work in the morning then heading to Kilmacolm Primary School for the Nativity Show. This is followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and the Labour Group. In the evening I will be attending the Clydeview Academy Christmas Concert in Greenock Town Hall.
Thursday
At work most of the day. In late afternoon I will be attending an event to mark the first year of the I Youth Zone in Greenock and then a meeting of the Riverside Inverclyde Board Appointments' Panel.
Friday
A day off work to attend the COSLA Convention in Edinburgh.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work for most of the day with the exception of a mid afternoon meeting in Glasgow with Scottish Labour Leader Johann Lamont and other Labour Group Leaders. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Port Glasgow Community Campus Working Group in the new campus. Members of the Working Group will receive a guided tour of the campus, which is due to be handed over this week by the contractor.
Tuesday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the Managing Director of McGills Buses and Council officials to discuss local transport issues. In the evening I am attending the Port Glasgow Old People's Welfare Council Christmas Dinner in Port Glasgow Town Hall.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group. I will then be attending the switch on of the Christmas lights in Port Glasgow.
Thursday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the Principal of West College Scotland followed by a full Council meeting. I'll then be attending the switch on of Greenock's Christmas lights.
Friday
A full day at work followed by attending the switch on of the Christmas lights in both Quarrier's Village and Kilmacolm.

The Clutha Bar tragedy...

Like most people I was was deeply shocked and saddened by Friday night's tragic accident at The Clutha Bar in Glasgow. My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved and in particular the family of local police constable Kirsty Nelis.

The Council's flags will fly at half mast this week as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for the Council pre-agenda. I then have a series of meetings: Kelburn Action Group at 6.00; St Francis' Primary School Parent Council at 7.00; and Port Glasgow West Community Council at 7.30. I will try to make at least part of each meeting.
Tuesday
At work until late afternoon before heading down to Port Glasgow for a tour around the new community campus. I have a surgery at 6.00 in St Francis' Primary School followed by a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council at 7.30.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon followed by a special meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee at 2.30; Inverclyde Alliance Pre-agenda at 3.00; weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 3.30; and a meeting of the Labour Group at 4.30.
Thursday
A full day at work including an evening meeting. I will unfortunately miss the Slaemuir TARA meeting.
Friday
I have taken a day's leave from work as I am attending a shortlisting meeting for the new post of Head of Legal and Property Services. In the afternoon I will be attending the Council's 'Pride of Inverclyde' awards ceremony.

The week ahead...

Monday
Taken the day off work on annual leave as I am chairing the interview panel for the post of Corporate Director Education, Communities and Organisational Development. If not too exhausted I might go out and do an hour's delivery of Inverclyde Labour News at night.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for an all Members' briefing on corporate parenting and a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee. I will then be attending a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group. I hope to make it along to a meeting of Newark Primary School Parent Council at 6.30.
Thursday
A full day at work. In the evening I am attending a civic reception to mark the bi-centenary of Greenock Chamber of Commerce.
Friday
Through in Edinburgh for the COSLA Labour Group Executive and the COSLA Leaders' meeting.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Boglestone Community Centre from 6.00 to 7.00.
Tuesday
At a conference through work.
Wednesday
At the same conference until mid afternoon before heading to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. Depending on when this finishes I might catch part of a meeting of Port Glasgow East Community Council.
Thursday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Port Glasgow Town Centre Working Group.
Friday
Another full day at work.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until mid afternoon before heading to Greenock for an Education briefing. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group.
Tuesday
At work until midday. In the afternoon I have the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda; a meeting of the Local Police and Fire Scrutiny Sub-Committee (we will be discussing the proposals to close the public counters at Port Glasgow and Gourock Police Offices); and a meeting of the Education & Communities Committee. In the early evening I will be attending a meeting of River Clyde Homes Audit Committee.
Wednesday
At work until mid day before heading to Gourock for the official opening of the new St Columba's High School. I then have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
A full day at work. In the evening I have my union branch meeting.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the early evening I will be attending part of a River Clyde Homes strategy event.
Saturday
I will be spending the morning at the River Clyde Homes strategy event.
Sunday
I will be representing the Council at Remembrance Sunday services in Greenock.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the early evening I am attending the launch of Debtbusters Inverclyde by Kezia Dugdale MSP and a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group. I then have a meeting of Port Glasgow West Community Council.
Tuesday
Another full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre followed by a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group. No evening meetings.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a members' briefing on winter maintenance followed by a meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee. In the evening I will be returning to work for a meeting, which means I will miss a meeting of Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board.
Friday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending the Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bi-centenary Dinner in Greenock Town Hall.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Port Glasgow Community Campus Working Group. Hoping to get an indication of the revised completion date.
Tuesday
I have an early morning meeting with fellow Clyde Valley Council Leaders in Glasgow before heading to work. In the afternoon I have a meeting with Chief Superintendent Speirs of Police Scotland followed by a meeting of the recruitment panel to shortlist candidates for interview for the post of Corporate Director Education, Communities and Organisational Development. I then have a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board. I hope also to attend the public meeting in Greenock on knife crime. Unfortunately I am missing both the Kilmacolm Primary School and St Stephen's High School parent council meetings.
Wednesday
At work in the morning before heading to the dentist for my six monthly check up. This is followed by the Chief Executive's mid year appraisal review and a meeting of the Labour Group. In the evening I hope to attend the Newark Primary Parent Council meeting.
Thursday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I will be attending a briefing on the proposed Police station counter closures and a meeting of the Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership. I then have a meeting with a constituent and officers. In the evening I am planning to attend the Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Friday
Off work on annual leave as heading through to Edinburgh for the quarterly COSLA Convention meeting.

The letter that proves Stuart McMillan misled the people of Inverclyde...

The week ahead...

No school week off for me this year as using up my holidays for Council duties.

Monday
Full day at work. In the evening I will be chairing the Clune Park Task Group.
Tuesday
Another full day at work. Taking the evening off to celebrate my 19th wedding anniversary.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for meetings with the Chief Executive and Labour Group. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Port Glasgow East Community Council.
Thursday
A full day at work. No evening commitments at this time.
Friday
Another full day at work with no evening commitments.
Saturday & Sunday
Campaigning in Dunfermline.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group. Missing a meeting of St Francis' Parent Council as it on at the same time as the task group.
Tuesday
Another full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Clune Park Resource Centre followed by a meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council. Missing a meeting of the Park Farm TARA as it clashes with the parent council.
Wednesday
At work until lunch time then down to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. I am then involved in judging a schools' competition for Greenock Chamber of Commerce, followed by the Council's annual Garden Fest competition prizegiving. I am missing Boglestone Community Association's AGM as it clashes with Garden Fest.
Thursday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the Council's adviser for the Chief Executive's appraisal mid-year review. This is followed by the full Council meeting and a meeting of the Strategic Leadership Forum. In the evening I am meeting with Labour Party activists.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Renfrewshire North and West Labour Party.

The week ahead...

Monday
On public holiday from work but a busy day ahead. In the morning I am visiting the SMART Project in Port Glasgow. At lunchtime I have the Council pre-agenda followed by a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Port Glasgow West Community Council.
Tuesday
A full day at work with no evening commitments.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have meetings with the Chief Executive and Labour Group.
Thursday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending the Port Glasgow High School Awards.
Friday
Another full day at work with no evening commitments.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I have an advice surgery at St Francis Primary School in Port Glasgow.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon. I am then heading down to Greenock to chair a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee where I will be making an important announcement. In the evening I will be attending the annual general meeting of River Clyde Homes followed by a Board meeting.
Wednesday
At work again until early afternoon before heading to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and Labour Group. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Newark Primary School Parent Council.
Thursday
A full day at work with no evening Council commitments.
Friday
On public holiday from work but heading through to Edinburgh for COSLA Labour Group and Leaders' meetings.

Press Release issued by Stuart McMillan MSP 16/09/13...

Stuart McMillan MSP

16th September 2013

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Use

McMillan questions accuracy of Councillor McCabe's Statement about Parliamentary Inquiry

 Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Monday) highlighted the correspondence which indicated that Inverclyde Councillors were indeed invited/requested to attend a committee meeting at the Scottish Parliament on the issue of regeneration.

Mr McMillan, today publishes the letters that were sent to both Councillor McCormick of the Environment and Regeneration Committee and Councillor McCabe, Leader of Inverclyde Council to attend the Local Government and Regeneration Committee in relation to their inquiry on the Delivery of Regeneration in Scotland.

Inverclyde Council was the only local authority out of the five in attendance which did not send a councillor to give evidence to the committee.  Those who did send representatives were Angus Council, Highland Council, South Lanarkshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council.

Mr McMillan said:

“I read with interest that Councillor McCabe insisted that Inverclyde Council co-operated fully with the Parliamentary inquiry.  However, it’s quite clear from correspondence that councillors were indeed asked to attend the committee meeting to give evidence on the subject of the Delivery of Regeneration in Scotland.

"This runs contrary to the claims and assertions of the Council Leader last week in his attempt to defend his administration. 

"Councillor McCabe was contacted once and Cllr McCormick was contacted twice and responded to say that he couldn't attend.

"I appreciate that as Cllr McCabe has stated he has a full time job as well as being a councillor and council leader so possibly couldn't attend event if he had wanted to. Nonetheless, it was unfortunate that the other four local authorities in attendance were able to send councillors alongside officials to discuss the issues at hand. 

"At the end of the day, public bodies that receive public money should rightly be scrutinised. I don't know anyone who thinks this is unreasonable. Riverside Inverclyde have received some £60m so it's legitimate for questions to be asked.

 “I was pleased however to learn from the officials in attendance that it’s their intention to make as much of the mid-term review public in due course. I'm sure this will help in gaining a better understanding of what has went on at Riverside Inverclyde".

Ends

Notes for editors;

Attached are copies of letters sent from the Local Government and Regeneration Committee to Councillor McCormick, Convener of the Environment and Regeneration Committee and Councillor McCabe, Leader of Inverclyde Council to attend the recent meeting.

The Official Report of this week’s meeting of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee has been published and is available here:  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=8485&mode=pdf

Aubrey Fawcett: Thank you, convener. I have to say that we are entirely transparent. As Mr McQuade said, our intention is to make available as much of the report as possible—apart from the commercially confidential elements. (page 33, bottom left corner)

Iain Fraser

Office Manager to Stuart McMillan MSP

Unit 3003, Mile End Mill

Abbey Mill Business Centre

12 Seedhill Road, Paisley, PA1 1JS

0141 889 9519

http://www.stuart-mcmillan.net

http://twitter.com/StuMcMillanSNP

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive of Ardgowan Hospice to hear about their plans for the future.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon. I then have my weekly meetings with the Chief Executive and the Labour Group.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting of the Riverside Inverclyde Board before returning to work in Glasgow for an evening meeting. I have had to tender my apologies for a meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Friday
A full day at work.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am attending a meeting of a Riverside Inverclyde subsidiary company.
Tuesday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I have the Policy & Resources Committee Pre-agenda followed by a meeting of the Education & Communities Committee. In the evening I have a surgery in Park Farm Community Hall followed by a meeting of St Stephen's High School Parent Council.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a Members' briefing at 2.00, the Inverclyde Alliance Pre-agenda at 3.00 and the Labour Group at 4.30. I hope to attend the St Michael's Primary School Parent Council AGM at 6.00 and Port Glasgow East Community Council at 7.00.
Thursday
At work until late afternoon before heading to Greenock for a meeting of the Riverside Inverclyde Board.
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending an awards ceremony for Craigmarloch School.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the trade unions. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Port Glasgow Community Campus Working Group. I hope we will receive confirmation that things are still on track for it to open after the October school break. I am having to miss a meeting of the St Francis Primary School Parent Council as the meetings clash.
Tuesday
A full day at work. In the evening I am being interviewed by Inverclyde Radio about my views on the independence referendum.
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for my weekly meetings with the Chief Executive and Labour Group.
Thursday
At work again until early afternoon then attending a meeting of the Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee. In the evening I have a meeting of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Board.
Friday
A full day at work.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group in the St Stephen's Enterprise Centre. Meetings have switched to this venue following the closure of Trees Tops Nursery at the end of June. The main issues on the agenda are an update on the proposed phase two of new housing by River Clyde Homes and the new community facility and MUGA. I have had to tender my apologies for a meeting of Kilmacolm Parent Partnership, which is on at the same time as the Task Group. My Labour colleague James McColgan will attend the Parent Partnership meeting.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon before heading to Greenock for my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive to discuss a range of current issues. I am then attending a civic function where the Inverclyde Tourist Group are receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. In the evening I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre followed by a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council.
Wednesday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a weekly meeting of the Labour Group. It looks like being a short one as some members of the Group have a social engagement in the east end of Glasgow to attend.
Thursday
At work until mid-day then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Inverclyde Community Health & Care Partnership Sub-Committee at 1.00 followed by a meeting of the Health & Social Care Committee  at  3.00. I will then be returning to work in Glasgow for an evening meeting.
Friday
Have taken a day's leave from work to attend the COSLA Leaders' meeting in Edinburgh, which is preceded by a meeting of the COSLA Labour Group Executive.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until late afternoon before heading to Greenock for a meeting with Duncan McNeil MSP and Iain McKenzie MP. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group. Link Housing Association will be present to give an update on the proposed new housing development for Clune Park residents at Lower Mary Street.
Tuesday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the Chief Executive. In the early evening I will be attending a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board. I hope to make at least part of the St Stephen's High School Parent Council meeting.
Wednesday
At work until late afternoon then again down to Greenock for a Labour Group meeting. I hope then to attend a meeting of Newark Primary School Parent Council.
Thursday
A full day at work with no evening commitments at present.
Friday
Another full day at work.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work for the full day. In early evening I am hoping to visit the newly completed St Columba's High School in Gourock.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be chairing a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee. In the early evening I will be attending a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Audit Committee.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive followed by a meeting of the Labour Group. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Port Glasgow East Community Council.
Thursday
A full day at work with a meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association in the evening.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the evening I will be attending The Recruit celebration dinner and awards in Greenock Town Hall.

The week ahead...

While the Council is in recess for July I still have a number of commitments this week:

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I am visiting Quarrier's Village with my colleague James McColgan to meet some constituents who are trying to establish a community allotment. I will then be attending a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group in Clune Park Resource Centre.
Tuesday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board at the Beacon Arts Centre.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am being interviewed by Inverclyde Radio and then I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. In the evening I will be touring the ward with my colleague James McColgan to identify those roads and footpaths in most urgent need of repair to help inform our submission to officers on the Council's priorities for future financial years.
Thursday
A full day at work with an evening meeting.
Friday
Another full day at work.
Saturday
Hope to get along to the Woodhall Park open day for an hour or two.

Response to comments by SNP Group Leader...

I am disappointed that the SNP Group Leader is seeking to make political capital out of the Riverside Inverclyde Mid-Term Review.

If he had checked his facts he would have been aware that one of his SNP colleagues – former Councillor Chris Osborne – replaced me on the Board in 2008 and served through to the Council election in 2012.

I am sure that Scottish Government Ministers will be equally disappointed by his political opportunism. Riverside Inverclyde has been the subject of Ministerial oversight during the last 7 years. The Chair and Chief Executive have met regularly with Ministers and civil servants. RI’s business plans and funding bids have been closely scrutinised and subject to Ministerial approval. There is a standing invitation for civil servants to attend meetings of the RI board.

Scottish Government Ministers would not have provided RI with tens of millions of pounds of public money if they had not been satisfied that it was doing a reasonably good job in an extremely difficult economic climate.

The Mid-Term Review is a fair, balanced and honest assessment of the progress RI has made to date. It provides a blue print for greater focus for regeneration activity in Inverclyde so that we can make the most of reduced public funding in the years ahead.

Now is the time for parties to work together in the interests of the people of Inverclyde, not to indulge in petty political point scoring, which serves no useful purpose.

The week ahead...

Monday
On leave from work. In the morning I have a meeting of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership in East Renfrewshire. In the early afternoon I am paying a visit to a local major employer with my colleague Michael McCormick. Later in the afternoon I will be chairing a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board. In the evening I have a surgery at Clune Park Resource Centre followed by a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group.
Tuesday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending the Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership AGM.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have meetings with the EIS, Chief Executive and Labour Group. In the evening I hope to attend the AGM of Newark Primary School Parent Council.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have meetings at Riverside Inverclyde before returning to work for an evening meeting.
Friday
A full day at work.
Saturday
I will be attending the Armed Forces Day Service at Paisley Abbey in the morning then going along to the Comet Festival in Port Glasgow.
Sunday
Attending an event in the afternoon to mark the completion of a new lift and disabled toilet in Quarrier's Village Sommerville Weir Hall.

My response to the separatists in today's Greenock Telegraph...

Your correspondent Ronnie Cowan is true to form (‘Don’t confuse policies’, 10^th June).

There was no need for him to spell out his credentials. I have had his card marked for some time. As well as being Organiser of the local Yes Scotland campaign group he is a prominent member of Inverclyde SNP.

His side swipe at me being “a paid politician” was rather petty. For the record, in addition to being an elected politician, I hold down a full time job as Assistant Chief Executive of a Glasgow housing association. I am well acquainted with what goes on in the real world.

I am disappointed that Mr Cowan sought to distort my position on the Union. Contrary to what he stated, my entire argument for staying in the Union is not “we haven’t done badly out of it and that we are valued contributors”.

I will be voting against separation on 18 September 2014 for one principal reason: I am British.

I was not born with a chip on my shoulder. Neither was I born with an innate sense of grievance against the English. I have never seen Scotland as a subjugated nation.

My politics are not based on narrow nationalism but on my Christian beliefs and a desire to build a fairer and more just society.

When I joined the Labour Party 30 years ago I joined the British Labour Party. When I became a trade unionist 27 years ago I joined the British Trade Union Movement.

I came into politics to change my country for the better: not to change countries.

The UK is far from perfect. We still have a long way to go to build our ‘New Jerusalem’.

As a Socialist and member of the British Labour Movement I want to see greater social justice across these islands and not just on this side of the English border. That is what sets me apart from those on the left who think separation is a short cut to a Socialist paradise.

Mr Cowan finishes his letter with a plea to readers not to confuse SNP Policy with the Yes Campaign. This demonstrates the fundamental contradiction at the heart of the separation movement.

The SNP – which Mr Cowan is a member of – are at pains to reassure Scots that little will change after independence. We will keep the pound and the Queen. We will remain in NATO and we will still be able to watch Eastenders and  X-Factor.

Others in Yes Scotland want to ditch the pound and the Queen and take Scotland out of NATO. Who knows they might even want to stop us watching Eastenders and X-Factor!

Faced with this contradiction, and the failure of the SNP to provide convincing answers to legitimate questions, the separatists are increasingly asking the people of Scotland to take a leap of faith. Trust us they plead: we know what we’re doing.

We will find out on 19th September 2014 if the peoples of Scotland are prepared to take a leap into the unknown. I pray not.