The week ahead...

Monday
At work for a few hours in the morning before heading down to Greenock for a meeting at River Clyde Homes of the panel overseeing the recruitment of the new Chief Executive. Later in the afternoon I will be attending a meeting of the Board of Riverside Inverclyde.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a briefing for Members at 2.00 on the Council's employee survey followed by a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee. At 5.30 I have a surgery in Boglestone Community Centre and at 7.00 I am meeting with a group of residents in Quarrier's Village.
Wednesday
Again at work in the morning before heading down to the Council for meetings at 3.00 (weekly meeting with the Chief Executive) and 4.30 (Labour Group).
Thursday
A full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Friday
Another full day at work. In the evening I will be attending The Recruit Awards Dinner.

A proud day...

Last week's opening of the new Parklea Community Sports Hub was a very proud day for me as we delivered on our promise to provide new top class facilities for our local clubs, including a new home for Port Glasgow Juniors. It was great to hear Scotland Manager Craig Levein pay tribute to the huge investment we have made in sports facilities across Inverclyde and the benefits this will bring to the local community.

The opening also brought back memories of my own, all too short lived, football career, much of it played at Parklea.

Indeed the new pitch opened last Friday lies partly on the scene of my greatest triumph in 1975 when I was part of the St Michael's Primary School team that won the 'Port-A-Go' Cup, beating heavy favourites Holy Family 4-3 in the Final. This was one of only two medals I ever one.

'Port-A-Go' was a festival organised to mark the end of Port Glasgow's separate Town Council with the formation of the new Inverclyde District Council. Not that I knew much about local politics in those days!

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have a Members' briefing at 2.00, a meeting with the Leader of the SNP Group at 3.30 and a meeting with Officers at 4.30. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group.
Tuesday
At work most of the day before heading to Greenock for a meeting of River Clyde Homes' Audit Committee at 5.30. Depending on what time it finishes I hope to attend the Park Farm TARA meeting later in the evening.
Wednesday
At work in the morning followed by a funeral. Late afternoon I have a meeting of the Labour Group. In the evening I hope to attend an inspection at the local Sea Cadets.
Thursday
I have an early morning meeting with fellow Clyde Valley Council Leaders before heading to work for the rest of the day. In the evening I will be attending a dinner for former Council employees.
Friday
At work all day. In the evening I will be attending the re-opening of Sommerville Weir Hall in Quarrier's Village.

The week ahead

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have meetings with the local Sea Cadets and one of my constituents, followed by the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda.
Tuesday
At work all day. In the evening I am meeting with some constituents in Quarrier's Village.
Wednesday
Similar to Tuesday with the evening meeting also involving officials from the Quarrier's organisation.
Thursday
Another full day at work.
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I am attending the official opening of the new Parklea Community Sports Facility by the Scotland Football Manager Craig Levein

The week ahead...

Another relatively quiet week Council wise due to the summer recess. I am however very busy at work as I am covering the vacant Chief Executive's post.
Monday
A full day at work.
Tuesday
Another full day at work.
Wednesday
In the morning I will be attending the funeral of my friend and Labour Party colleague Martin Coyle. In the afternoon I have a meeting with the new Divisional Police Commander and my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive.
Thursday
At work in the morning before heading to Greenock for an all members' briefing on major planning applications. I will be returning to work in Glasgow for an evening meeting.
Friday
Another full day at work.

The week ahead....

A relatively quiet week due to the summer recess
Monday
Off on public holiday from work as it is the Glasgow Fair weekend. In the afternoon I am due to attend the launch of the new Alcohol and Drug Partnership Referral Project at Greenock Fire Station, followed by a meeting with a local businessman.
Tuesday
A full day at work followed by a meeting of River Clyde Homes' Board at 5.30.
Wednesday
Another full day at work although I have to fit in a telephone call with a Scottish Government Minister in the early afternoon.
Thursday
At work again all day with an evening meeting also at 6.00.
Friday
Attending the official opening of the new Boglestone Play Park in the morning before heading to work for the rest of the day.

The week ahead...

Back at work after a week off so a fair bit of catching up to do...
Monday
Full day at work with no evening commitments.
Tuesday
As Monday.
Wednesday
At work in the morning with my weekly meeting with the Council's Chief Executive in the afternoon. No evening commitments again.
Thursday
Another full day at work with no evening commitments.
Friday
Due to be off on public holiday for the Glasgow Fair weekend but will probably go into work in the morning. In the afternoon I am opening tenders in the Council at 2,00 and meeting with Duncan McNeill MSP and Iain McKenzie MP at 2.30.