Play area investment programme taking shape...

It is great to see new and improved play areas being developed across Inverclyde.

While in the east end of Greenock this morning taking down election posters I was delighted to see the new play area in Leven Road.  My Labour colleagues Robert Moran and Michael McCormick lobbied hard for this new play area for their constituents in South Maukinhill.

I was also pleased to see that the construction of a new play area in my own ward at Devol is under way.

The Labour-led Administration is investing significant sums in new and improved play areas across Inverclyde to give children and young people safe places to play, encouraging them to get out into the open air and enjoy healthy exercise.

New Play Area, Leven Road, Greenock

School refurbishment gets go ahead...

I was delighted to sign off a tender acceptance today for the refurbishment of part of Inverkip Primary School.

The work, which will cost just under £300,000, will involve the comprehensive refurbishment of four classrooms and four WC blocks within the 1970s extension to the school. It also includes alterations to the main reception/administration area to ensure Disability Discrimination Act compliance.

To avoid disruption to the school most of the work will be carried out during the summer break.

Inverkip Primary School

Work progressing well on new arts centre...

I paid a visit to Greenock today to have a look at how work is progressing on the Inverclyde's new £10m arts centre to replace The Greenock Arts Guild.

The Guild’s current premises are no longer fit for purpose and an exciting project has been devised to create a new purpose built arts centre. Expected to open in 2012, it will be known as The Beacon Arts Centre. The centre will build on the impressive track record of Greenock Arts Guild, which has been successfully delivering high quality arts in Inverclyde for 60 years. It will be sited on a prime location of a former dockyard in Greenock, adjacent to the historic Georgian Custom House, with superb views over the River Clyde. 

The new building will form a key community focus as part of the wider regeneration of former industrial land along the Inverclyde waterfront. It will house a 500 seat main auditorium together with a 130 seat studio theatre, three large rehearsal rooms and a riverside restaurant and bar with outstanding views over the Clyde.

Inverclyde Council is making a £2.5m contribution towards the cost of the new arts centre.

Labour Group appoints new Leader...

Press Release by Inverclyde Council Labour Group

For Immediate Use

Following Councillor Iain McKenzie’s election as the Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, Councillor Stephen McCabe as been re-appointed as the Leader of Inverclyde Council Labour Group, a position he held between May 2007 and February 2011.

Councillor McCabe will be the ruling Administration’s nominee to replace Councillor McKenzie as Council Leader at a special Council meeting to be held during August (date to be confirmed).

Labour Group Chairperson Councillor Joe McIlwee commented: “I would like to thank Iain for his work as Group and Council Leader during the last 5 months and to wish him well as he takes on the role of Member of Parliament for Inverclyde. I am sure that he will prove a worthy successor to David Cairns.”

Councillor McIlwee continued: “I would also like to congratulate Stephen on his re-appointment as Labour Group Leader. He led the Group with distinction for nearly 4 years and his colleagues feel that he is the right man to lead us in the remaining 10 months of this Council term.”

Councillor McCabe commented: “When I resigned in February I had hoped to return as Group and Council Leader at some point in the future. Obviously due to the tragic loss of our colleague David Cairns my return has been somewhat sooner than I had anticipated.”

Councillor McCabe continued: “During the past 5 months I have had a chance to recharge my batteries and spend a bit more time with my family. I am ready to lead the Labour Group and Council again for the remaining 10 months of this term. I am looking forward to the challenge and to delivering on our ambitious programme for Inverclyde.”

Councillor Gerry Dorrian has been appointed as Labour Group Secretary/Whip to replace Councillor McCabe and Councillor Terry Loughran replaces Councillor Dorrian as Vice Chair.

ENDS

Work continues at new Parklea Community Stadium...

I paid a visit to Parklea Playing Fields in Port Glasgow this afternoon to see how work is progressing on our new community stadium. I was delighted to see that the steel frames of the pavilion and covered enclosure have been erected and work is progressing well.

I am hopeful that the stadium - which will be the new home for Port Glasgow Juniors FC - will be completed ahead of schedule, perhaps by the end of 2011.

Labour delivering for Port Glasgow!

Shared Campus takes another step forward...

I was delighted to attend the tender opening for Port Glasgow's new shared school campus this afternoon.

Following detailed checking, the most competitive tender should be accepted before the end of this month with work starting next month.

The shared campus will be the new home for Port Glasgow and St Stephen's High Schools and the new special needs school to replace Glenburn and Lilybank Schools.

The week ahead...

Although the Council is in recess - and I am on leave from work for the next 2 weeks - I do have some Council business this week.

On Monday I am attending a special meeting of the Council's Regeneration Committee to discuss - and hopefully approve - outline proposals for the redevelopment of the Gourock Pierhead area. Later in the afternoon I have a special meeting of the Labour Group to discuss how we go forward following my colleague Iain McKenzie's election as the local MP.

On Wednesday morning I have arranged to walk round Port Glasgow Town Centre with the Council's Corporate Director Regeneration & Environment, Aubrey Fawcett, to discuss the priorities for the Council's and Riverside Inverclyde's funding for the redevelopment of the Town Centre.

The redevelopment of the Gourock Pierhead area and Port Glasgow Town Centre are high priorities for the Administration so I am happy to sacrifice part of my annual holiday to make sure that we move these projects forward.