Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village Report...

As I reported last month, the Council has agreed record capital funding of £17m for upgrading roads, footways and street lighting over the next 3 years.

At its meeting on 7 March the Environment & Regeneration Committee approved an investment programme of £4.155m in financial year 2013/14. This programme includes significant investment in the Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village area:

A & B Class Roads (selected lengths)

A761 (Cloak Road to Auchenbothie Road)

A786 (Lochwinnoch Road from Whitelea Road to Pacemuir Bridge)

A786 (Craigbet Road to Carruth Road)

B788 (Milton Craig to junction with A761)

C Class Roads (selected lengths)

Finlaystone Road/High Street/Market Place

Unclassified Roads (selected lengths)

Gryffe Road

Castlehill Road

Rowantreehill Road

Porterfield Road

Churchill Road (reserve list)

Footways (selected lengths)

Duchal Road

The projects forming the 2014/15 and 2015/16 programmes are likely to be approved by the Committee in August 2013. I am sure that this will include further major investment in the Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village area.

The first meeting of the Council’s new Local Police and Fire Scrutiny Sub-Committee took place on 12 March. With the move to national Police and Fire services from 1 April, the new Sub-Committee will provide a forum for Elected Members to scrutinise the performance of these services locally, including the approval of Police and Fire plans for Inverclyde. The Sub-Committee is likely to meet every six months.

My advice surgeries are advertised on the Council’s website (www.inverclyde.gov.uk) and in The Greenock Telegraph. My next surgery in Kilmacolm is on Tuesday 23 April in the Community Centre from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. I also have a surgery in Park Farm Community Hall, Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow on Monday 15 April from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a Members' briefing followed by a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Port Glasgow High School Parent Council.
Tuesday
At work in the morning again. In the afternoon I have a meeting with the Council's external auditor followed by a Members' briefing on welfare reform and a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee. In the evening I have a surgery in Clune Park Resource Centre followed by my children's parents' interviews.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting of the Council's Strategic Leadership Forum followed by my weekly meetings with the Chief Executive and Labour Group.
Thursday
A full day at work. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Port Glasgow West Community Council.
Friday
A day off for Good Friday.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until early afternoon then paying a visit to the Council's new children's home, followed by a meeting with the Port Glasgow Traders' Association. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group.
Tuesday
At work in the morning then down to Greenock for a River Clyde Homes planning event followed by a Board meeting.
Wednesday
I have taken the day off work on annual leave as I am opening an Inverclyde Alliance seminar in Port Glasgow Town Hall. In the afternoon I have my weekly meetings with the Chief Executive and the Labour Group. In the evening I will be attending a dinner for former Council employees.
Thursday
At work in the morning then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Riverside Inverclyde Board before returning to work for an evening meeting.
Friday
At the COSLA Convention in Edinburgh most of the day. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Greenock and Inverclyde Labour Party.
Saturday
At the Unite Scotland Political Conference in Glasgow.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group in Tree Tops Nursery.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have meetings of the Council's new Local Police and Fire Scrutiny Sub-Committee and the Education & Communities Committee. In the evening I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre.
Wednesday
At work until lunch time then down to Greenock for a River Clyde Homes conference in the new Beacon Arts Centre, followed by the weekly meeting of the Labour Group. I hope to attend a meeting of St Michael's Primary School Parent Council in the evening.
Thursday
A full day at work with an early evening meeting. I hope to make a meeting of Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board as well.
Friday
Another full day at work followed by a  Labour Party social night in Greenock Morton Supporters.
Saturday
Breakfast meeting with MP, MSP and local Labour Party Chair and Secretary. Will be attending the Port Glasgow Spring Bulb Show in the afternoon.

The week ahead...

Monday
Full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of St Francis Primary School Parent Council.
Tuesday
At work until later afternoon then down to Greenock for an all Members' briefing on our major roads investment plan over the next three years.
Wednesday
At work until lunchtime then down to Greenock for a serious of meetings in the afternoon: local Fire & Rescue commander, Chief Executive, Inverclyde Alliance Pre-agenda and Labour Group.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am visiting a local bowling club followed by a meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee. In the evening I am attending a Young Scot reception and dinner at the new Beacon Arts Centre.
Friday
A full day at work.