At a briefing for all political groups earlier this week the Council's Chief Financial Officer reported that the Council is projecting a budget surplus of around £4m in the next financial year, 2012/13. Taking into account the projected budget surplus in the current financial year of £2.3m and other factors, he is projecting that the political groups will have just over £8m available in 'free reserves' to spend on one-off investments as part of the review of the Council's 2012/13 budget, which will be considered at a special Council meeting on 9 February.
Over the coming weeks the ruling Administration will be discussing how we can make best use of this £8m. I would therefore be interested to hear from Inverclyde residents on what they think our priorities should be.
Officers have already come up with a number of suggestions:
£0.3m for the proposed new Inverkip Community Facility taking the Council's funding for the £1.2m project to £0.9m;
£1.0m for the refurbishment of the Watt Complex taking the Council's total funding commitment to £4.0m;
£3.0m to make up a shortfall in the Council's capital funding as a result of the Scottish Government cutting our capital grant, which would cover the cost of existing planned projects, such as our annual investment in road improvements.
I would like to hear residents' views on these proposals and any thoughts on how the balance of £3.7m should be spent.
Suggestions can be emailed to me at Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.uk or by writing to me at Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square, Greenock PA15 1NB.
As you would expect, I already have a few ideas of my own.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Inverclyde Labour announce Council election candidates...
Inverclyde Labour Party has selected its candidates for the 2012 Council elections.
They are as follows:
Ward 1 (Inverclyde East): Stephen McCabe & James McColgan;
Ward 2 (Inverclyde East Central): Michael McCormick & Robert Moran;
Ward 3 (Inverclyde North): Martin Brennan & Jim Clocherty;
Ward 4 (Inverclyde South): Vaughan Jones & Joe McIlwee;
Ward 5 (Inverclyde West): Terry Loughran;
Ward 6 (Inverclyde South West): Gerry Dorrian & Colin Jackson.
Paul Mooney, Chair of Inverclyde Labour Party, said: "Local members have selected a fantastic slate of candidates to take forward the Labour message to the people of Inverclyde. There is an excellent mix of individuals who will all use their different life experiences to work for the area. All of them are committed to Labour values of fairness and equality and will be tireless in helping to build the Inverclyde we all want to see."
Current Inverclyde Labour Group Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: "I am delighted to have been re-selected to represent Labour in Ward 1 at next year's Council elections. The Party has chosen a very strong team of candidates and we will be going all out to retain control of the Council. I believe that we have an excellent record of delivery to put before the electorate and the passion to drive Inverclyde forward for another five years."
They are as follows:
Ward 1 (Inverclyde East): Stephen McCabe & James McColgan;
Ward 2 (Inverclyde East Central): Michael McCormick & Robert Moran;
Ward 3 (Inverclyde North): Martin Brennan & Jim Clocherty;
Ward 4 (Inverclyde South): Vaughan Jones & Joe McIlwee;
Ward 5 (Inverclyde West): Terry Loughran;
Ward 6 (Inverclyde South West): Gerry Dorrian & Colin Jackson.
Paul Mooney, Chair of Inverclyde Labour Party, said: "Local members have selected a fantastic slate of candidates to take forward the Labour message to the people of Inverclyde. There is an excellent mix of individuals who will all use their different life experiences to work for the area. All of them are committed to Labour values of fairness and equality and will be tireless in helping to build the Inverclyde we all want to see."
Current Inverclyde Labour Group Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: "I am delighted to have been re-selected to represent Labour in Ward 1 at next year's Council elections. The Party has chosen a very strong team of candidates and we will be going all out to retain control of the Council. I believe that we have an excellent record of delivery to put before the electorate and the passion to drive Inverclyde forward for another five years."
Sunday, 18 December 2011
A Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year...
2011 has been another year of progress for Inverclyde despite the global economic situation.
The high points included the opening of two new secondary schools – Clydeview Academy and Notre Dame High School – and the opening of Kilmacolm’s new community centre and library.
There is even more to look forward to in 2012.
Work will continue on our exciting new £44m shared campus in Port Glasgow and start on the new £15m St Columba’s High School in Gourock. The £5m refurbishment and extension of the former Overton Primary School building for the new Whinhill Primary School is scheduled for completion in July.
2012 will be marked by further significant progress with our leisure strategy with the completion of the £1.7m refurbishment of Ravenscraig Stadium; a new £3.5m community stadium at Parklea; and the £1.8m re-build of Gourock Pool.
We will see the completion of our new £10m Beacon Arts Centre ; major investment in Port Glasgow and Gourock town centres; the opening of the Council’s new customer service centre on the ground floor of Greenock’s Municipal Buildings; and major investment in new and upgraded play facilities across Inverclyde.
And you will have the opportunity to give your verdict on the past five years at the local government elections in May.
This is of course a time of the year when we remember friends and loved ones who have passed away. In May we lost our local MP David Cairns. It is still difficult to come to terms with the fact that David is no longer with us.
I would like to thank all Council staff for their continued efforts in delivering for the people of Inverclyde, with a special mention for those who will be working over the festive period to maintain essential services.
A Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you all.
The week ahead...
A shorter week with the count down to Christmas:
Monday
At work in Glasgow until 1.30. There is an all Member budget briefing at 2.30 and I am due to chair a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board at 3.30. I have a surgery in Clune Park Resource Centre from 5.30 to 6.30.
Tuesday
At work again in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting with Derek Mackay MSP, the new Local Government Minister in the Scottish Government. At 4.00 I have my last weekly meeting of 2011 with the Council's Chief Executive, John Mundell. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting to discuss a possible new community facility for the Woodhall area of Port Glasgow.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
No Council commitments in the diary. Time to prepare for Christmas!
Monday
At work in Glasgow until 1.30. There is an all Member budget briefing at 2.30 and I am due to chair a meeting of the Inverclyde Alliance Board at 3.30. I have a surgery in Clune Park Resource Centre from 5.30 to 6.30.
Tuesday
At work again in the morning. In the afternoon I have a meeting with Derek Mackay MSP, the new Local Government Minister in the Scottish Government. At 4.00 I have my last weekly meeting of 2011 with the Council's Chief Executive, John Mundell. In the evening I hope to attend a meeting to discuss a possible new community facility for the Woodhall area of Port Glasgow.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
No Council commitments in the diary. Time to prepare for Christmas!
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Introducing Labour's Team for Inverclyde East....
I am delighted to announce that I have been selected as a Labour candidate for the Inverclyde East Ward at next year's Council elections, along with my colleague James McColgan.
Having represented the Ward - which covers most of Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village - since 2007 I am deeply honoured to have been chosen once again to stand for my Party. It will be my fifth time standing for election and I will be aiming to continue my 100 per cent success rate.
In contrast it will be James' first election as a candidate at the tender age of 20.
He was born and brought up in Port Glasgow, where he still lives. After attending primary and secondary schools in the town James served a two-year modern apprenticeship in IT with Inverclyde Council. After leaving the Council he worked in the private sector for a period before starting a degree course in law and politics at Glasgow University in October this year.
James is a former Chair of Inverclyde Youth Council and a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He was recently appointed to the new Port Glasgow West Community Council and is the current Secretary of Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm Labour Party Branch.
James is very passionate about Inverclyde and is keen to play his part in making it a better place to live.
In 2007 we narrowly missed out on having two Labour candidates elected in Ward 1. In 2012 James and I will be looking to put that right.
Having represented the Ward - which covers most of Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm and Quarrier's Village - since 2007 I am deeply honoured to have been chosen once again to stand for my Party. It will be my fifth time standing for election and I will be aiming to continue my 100 per cent success rate.
In contrast it will be James' first election as a candidate at the tender age of 20.
He was born and brought up in Port Glasgow, where he still lives. After attending primary and secondary schools in the town James served a two-year modern apprenticeship in IT with Inverclyde Council. After leaving the Council he worked in the private sector for a period before starting a degree course in law and politics at Glasgow University in October this year.
James is a former Chair of Inverclyde Youth Council and a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. He was recently appointed to the new Port Glasgow West Community Council and is the current Secretary of Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm Labour Party Branch.
James is very passionate about Inverclyde and is keen to play his part in making it a better place to live.
In 2007 we narrowly missed out on having two Labour candidates elected in Ward 1. In 2012 James and I will be looking to put that right.
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Setting the record straight....
I have been asked by Mr Ralph Roberts to point out that he is standing as an SNP candidate in Ward 5 and not Ward 6. I am very happy to do so.
I am actually flattered by how many members of the local SNP read my blog. I am glad that I keeping them amused!
I am actually flattered by how many members of the local SNP read my blog. I am glad that I keeping them amused!
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Getting on board...
Word has reached me from one of my many moles in the local SNP that Ralph Roberts, Managing Director of McGill's Buses, is being lined up as one of their candidates in either Ward 5 or Ward 6 at next year's Council Elections.
I am told that Mr Roberts has been headhunted by SNP campaign mastermind Stuart McMillan to lead the SNP Group should they be successful in seizing control of Inverclyde Council next May. I understand that Stuart believes that Mr Robert's success in turning McGill's into Scotland' third biggest bus operator shows that he is the man to lead an SNP run council.
A link between the SNP and a Scottish bus operator is nothing new of course. Stagecoach owner Sir Brian Souter is a major funder of the national party.
It looks like the local SNP are now getting on board the bus.
I am told that Mr Roberts has been headhunted by SNP campaign mastermind Stuart McMillan to lead the SNP Group should they be successful in seizing control of Inverclyde Council next May. I understand that Stuart believes that Mr Robert's success in turning McGill's into Scotland' third biggest bus operator shows that he is the man to lead an SNP run council.
A link between the SNP and a Scottish bus operator is nothing new of course. Stagecoach owner Sir Brian Souter is a major funder of the national party.
It looks like the local SNP are now getting on board the bus.
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