The week ahead...

Monday

I have the Inverclyde Council pre-agenda in the late afternoon followed by a meeting with Unite the Union.

Tuesday

In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Park Farm Tenants' and Residents' Association.

Wednesday

In the early afternoon I have an all members' briefing followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive. This is followed by a meeting of the Labour Group were we will be finalising our proposals for next week's budget review. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting of Port Glasgow East Community Council.

Thursday

In the evening I will be attending a Labour Party selection meeting in Paisley to chose our candidates for the twinned Scottish Parliament seats of Paisley and Renfrewshire North & West.

Friday

No commitments in the diary at this time.

The most significant political decision in the history of our country...

I was pleased that at last month’s Education & Communities Committee the Council agreed a plan to raise awareness of the Independence Referendum in schools for pupils who will be 16 or older on the date of the poll – Thursday 18 September.

Regardless of party or personal opinion we have a responsibility to support young people to understand the referendum process and to support them in registering and becoming familiar with the electoral process.

Representatives of the Electoral Commission will visit schools over the next few months and a couple of ‘Question Time’ sessions will be arranged for pupils involving representatives from both campaigns - ‘Better Together’ and ‘Yes Scotland’ - over the summer months.

All secondary schools have already been issued with a Curriculum for Excellence briefing paper providing information and guidance for teachers regarding the broad theme of political literacy. There are also details of the benefits of using current events such as the independence referendum and young people undertaking Modern Studies will also look at political literacy within their core curriculum.

These plans I am sure will inform our young people allowing them to exercise their democratic right for the first time.

We cannot underestimate how big a decision these young people face. It is the most significant democratic decision in the history of our country. Some of us may have voted for the first time at a local or national election. These young people will be participating in a vote that could change their lives for ever, for better or for worse.

Two of my sons will be voting for the first time this year. My oldest will get in some practise in May's European elections before the 'big one' in September. I will do my best to ensure that they both get good parental guidance before they cast their votes.

The week ahead...

A new chapter in my life starts this week following my departure from Govan Housing Association after sixteen and a half years. From now on I'll only mention my public and political duties as I'm sure nobody will be that interested in the school run and my domestic chores, etc.

Monday
I have an early morning meeting with Lib Dem Group Leader Ciano Rebecchi to discuss the Council's budget for the two-year period 2014-2016. In the evening I will be chairing a meeting of the Clune Park Task Group.
Tuesday
I have a mid morning meeting in Glasgow with Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, before heading to Greenock for a members' briefing by the Chief Executive of the Beacon Arts Centre, Julie Ellen. This will be followed by a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee and a meeting with Unite the Union. In the evening I will be attending a special meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council on the planning application for a new mixed retail and housing development at Kilmacolm Cross.
Wednesday
I have my regular Wednesday afternoon meeting with the Chief Executive and a late afternoon meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
No commitments at this time.
Friday
I will be spending much of the day at an event in Glasgow with Labour Council Group Leaders, MPs and MSPs. In the evening I will be attending the 'Stand up for Labour' comedy event at the Albany in Greenock. It should be a good night!
Saturday
I will be attending the Upper Port Glasgow Social Club Burns' Supper.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with Port Glasgow Juniors. Depending when it finishes, I hope to get along to a meeting of Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership.
Tuesday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre and a meeting of Kilmacolm Community Council.
Wednesday
At a funeral in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending the official opening of the new Port Glasgow Community Campus. This will be followed by my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and the Labour Group. I hope then to attend a meeting of St Michael's Primary School Parent Council.
Thursday
A full day at work.
Friday
At COSLA in Edinburgh for most of the day.

The week ahead...

Monday
A full day at work with no evening commitments other than reading reports for Tuesday's meetings.
Tuesday
A rather busy day. At work until mid day then to Greenock for meetings at 1.00 (Policy & Resources Committee Pre-agenda), 2.00 (Policy & Resources Executive Sub-Committee), 3.00 (Education & Communities Committee), 6.00 River Clyde Homes Extraordinary General Meeting) and 6.30 (River Clyde Homes Board).
Wednesday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for my weekly meetings with the Chief Executive and Labour Group. In the evening I will be attending a Service of Dedication at the new Port Glasgow High School within the Port Glasgow Community Campus.
Thursday
At work until late afternoon then to Greenock for a meeting with officers. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Slaemuir Tenants' and Residents' Association.
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending interviews with potential candidates for membership of the Riverside Inverclyde Board.
Saturday
Attending the Scottish Labour Party Policy Forum in Stirling
Sunday
Hope to attend a Better Together training event in Glasgow.

The week ahead...

Monday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I have childcare responsibilities. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of Kilmacolm Primary School Parent Partnership.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon then childcare responsibilities again. In the evening I have a surgery in Park Farm Community Hall.
Wednesday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I am attending a briefing by River Clyde Homes on the new allocations system, my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and a meeting of the Labour Group.  In the evening I will be attending a Community Empowerment Bill consultation event at Notre Dame High School.
Thursday
At work until late morning. After a private appointment I have a special Council meeting followed by a meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee. I then have a meeting with the Managing Director of McGills Buses followed by a Mass of Blessing at the new St Stephen's High School.
Friday
A full day at work.

The week ahead...

Back to business after the holiday period.

Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group in the new Port Glasgow Community Campus' Enterprise Centre.
Tuesday
At work most of the day. In late afternoon I have a meeting with the new Chairman of the Beacon Arts Centre.
Wednesday
At work until mid afternoon then down to Greenock for the first meeting of the Labour Group of 2014.
Thursday
At work until early afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting of the Peter Stanton Trust followed by a meeting of the Health & Social Care Sub-Committee. In the evening I have a meeting of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Board.
Friday
A full day at work.