Monday
Full day at work. In the evening I will be attending a meeting of the Woodhall Task Group.
Tuesday
At work until late afternoon then down to Greenock for a meeting with the trade unions on the Council's budget.
Wednesday
At work until midday then down to Greenock for a series of meetings - budget briefings, weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and Labour Group meeting - which are likely to last well into the evening.
Thursday
Another full day at work, including an evening meeting.
Friday
Full day at work again with a Labour Party meeting in the evening.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Sunday, 20 January 2013
The week ahead...
Monday
On annual leave from work as I am taking one of my sons to the dentist in the morning. I have a busy afternoon with the opening of the revamped Port Glasgow bus station, a fact finding visit to a major local employer with my colleague Michael McCormick and the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda. In the evening I am due to chair as meeting of the Clune Park Task Group where we will have our first look at plans for 60 new houses at Lower Mary Street in Port Glasgow for the re-housing of some Clune Park residents.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending a briefing on the work of Grand Central Savings in Inverclyde and the Council's Education & Communities Committee. In the evening I am visiting Port Glasgow Victoria Boxing Club to hear about their plans for the future.
Wednesday
At work in the morning then a lunch time meeting with the Leaders of Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive followed by a Members' budget update briefing. This will be followed by the weekly Labour Group meeting where we will continue our consideration of officers' budget savings proposals. Promises to be a long meeting just like last week.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending the Burns' Concert at St Michael's Primary School. I then have a meeting another major local employer followed by a visit to the new Beacon Arts Centre and a meeting with their Chief Executive.
Friday
Will be through at COSLA in Edinburgh for much of the day for the monthly Leaders' meeting.
Saturday
I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre from 10 to 11 a.m.
On annual leave from work as I am taking one of my sons to the dentist in the morning. I have a busy afternoon with the opening of the revamped Port Glasgow bus station, a fact finding visit to a major local employer with my colleague Michael McCormick and the Policy & Resources Committee pre-agenda. In the evening I am due to chair as meeting of the Clune Park Task Group where we will have our first look at plans for 60 new houses at Lower Mary Street in Port Glasgow for the re-housing of some Clune Park residents.
Tuesday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending a briefing on the work of Grand Central Savings in Inverclyde and the Council's Education & Communities Committee. In the evening I am visiting Port Glasgow Victoria Boxing Club to hear about their plans for the future.
Wednesday
At work in the morning then a lunch time meeting with the Leaders of Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive followed by a Members' budget update briefing. This will be followed by the weekly Labour Group meeting where we will continue our consideration of officers' budget savings proposals. Promises to be a long meeting just like last week.
Thursday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending the Burns' Concert at St Michael's Primary School. I then have a meeting another major local employer followed by a visit to the new Beacon Arts Centre and a meeting with their Chief Executive.
Friday
Will be through at COSLA in Edinburgh for much of the day for the monthly Leaders' meeting.
Saturday
I have a surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre from 10 to 11 a.m.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
The week ahead...
Monday
A full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Park Farm Community Hall from 6.00-7.00 and then a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group in Clune Park Resource Centre.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon then down to St Michael's Primary School for a parent council meeting. I will be attending a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board at 5.30.
Wednesday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and the weekly meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
Spending the morning at work again. In the afternoon I have a briefing on advocacy services at 2.00 and a meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee at 3.00. In the evening I will be attending the Slaemuir TARA AGM at 7.00 in St Francis Primary School.
Friday
A full day at work.
A full day at work. In the evening I have a surgery in Park Farm Community Hall from 6.00-7.00 and then a meeting of the Kelburn Action Group in Clune Park Resource Centre.
Tuesday
At work until early afternoon then down to St Michael's Primary School for a parent council meeting. I will be attending a meeting of the River Clyde Homes Board at 5.30.
Wednesday
At work until lunchtime. In the afternoon I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive and the weekly meeting of the Labour Group.
Thursday
Spending the morning at work again. In the afternoon I have a briefing on advocacy services at 2.00 and a meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee at 3.00. In the evening I will be attending the Slaemuir TARA AGM at 7.00 in St Francis Primary School.
Friday
A full day at work.
Sunday, 6 January 2013
The week ahead...
Monday
A full day at work.
Tuesday
Attending a meeting of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership in East Renfrewshire in the morning before heading to work for the rest of the day.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 2.00 and a meeting of the Labour Group at 4.30.
Thursday
Work until lunchtime then down to Greenock for meetings at 2.00 (Policy & Resources Executive Sub-Committee), Community Health & Care Partnership (3.00) and Budget Briefing (4.30).
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending a River Clyde Homes strategy event.
A full day at work.
Tuesday
Attending a meeting of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership in East Renfrewshire in the morning before heading to work for the rest of the day.
Wednesday
At work in the morning. I have my weekly meeting with the Chief Executive at 2.00 and a meeting of the Labour Group at 4.30.
Thursday
Work until lunchtime then down to Greenock for meetings at 2.00 (Policy & Resources Executive Sub-Committee), Community Health & Care Partnership (3.00) and Budget Briefing (4.30).
Friday
At work in the morning. In the afternoon I will be attending a River Clyde Homes strategy event.
Friday, 28 December 2012
New play facilities set for approval...
The Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee will be asked at its next meeting on 17 January to approve a new £175,000 skate park in Greenock's Battery Park on the site of the existing skate park. The proposal follows consultation with ward councillors, the local community council and park users. The park will be a multi-use facility catering for bmx riders and skateboarders.
The Committee previously approved a £50,000 outdoor gym in Battery Park. Members will hear that procurement of the gym is underway and it should be in place by the end of March.
The Committee will also be asked to approve a £75,000 replacement of the existing play park at Jacob's Drive in Gourock.
These proposals are part of the Council's ongoing investment programme in new and improved outdoor play facilities and I am sure that they will be welcomed by the local communities.
The Committee previously approved a £50,000 outdoor gym in Battery Park. Members will hear that procurement of the gym is underway and it should be in place by the end of March.
The Committee will also be asked to approve a £75,000 replacement of the existing play park at Jacob's Drive in Gourock.
These proposals are part of the Council's ongoing investment programme in new and improved outdoor play facilities and I am sure that they will be welcomed by the local communities.
Major boost for community facilities...
The Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee will be asked at its next meeting on 17 January to approve grants for community facilities totalling nearly £200,000. These are the latest awards from the Council's £1.2m Community Facilities Grant Fund.
Among the groups set to benefit are:
Glenpark Harriers Athletic Club - £10,156 for repairs to their clubhouse
Quarrier's Village Council - £41,000 to install a lift and disabled toilets in Sommerville Weir Hall
East End United Boys Club - £37,500 to convert a Council bothy at Lady Octavia Park into new changing rooms
REACH for Autism - £37,950 to refurbish premises for a new service for children with autism.
These are all worthwhile projects, which I am sure the Committee will be keen to support.
As a Councillor for Quarrier's Village I very much welcome the proposed grant to make Sommerville Weir Hall accessible to people with disabilities. This will compliment the recent refurbishment of the hall funded by Quarriers and a local benefactor, creating a community facility for the whole village.
Among the groups set to benefit are:
Glenpark Harriers Athletic Club - £10,156 for repairs to their clubhouse
Quarrier's Village Council - £41,000 to install a lift and disabled toilets in Sommerville Weir Hall
East End United Boys Club - £37,500 to convert a Council bothy at Lady Octavia Park into new changing rooms
REACH for Autism - £37,950 to refurbish premises for a new service for children with autism.
These are all worthwhile projects, which I am sure the Committee will be keen to support.
As a Councillor for Quarrier's Village I very much welcome the proposed grant to make Sommerville Weir Hall accessible to people with disabilities. This will compliment the recent refurbishment of the hall funded by Quarriers and a local benefactor, creating a community facility for the whole village.
Monday, 24 December 2012
Positive note to end year on...
The final Council meeting of 2012 received a very positive report from the Council's external auditors Grant Thornton on their annual audit for financial year 2011/12.
The auditors have reported that "Overall, the Council is in good financial health" and they have recognised that good progress has been made to deliver savings through the Council's programme of efficiency workstreams. Like the Council itself, however, Grant Thornton acknowledge the significant challenges and difficult decisions ahead due to the pressures on public finances. They are satisfied that "the Council is taking appropriate action to manage its financial position in the medium term".
The auditors' report also concludes that "Overall, the Council performs well in delivering services" and that "The Council has well-developed arrangements to monitor and report on performance". The Council's governance arrangements are considered to be generally operating well and internal controls operating effectively, with the Internal Audit section performing well.
The Council is praised for the way it has worked well with its partners through the Inverclyde Alliance to agree a shared vision for the area.
Grant Thornton confirm in their report that "there are no significant concerns relating to Inverclyde Council" and that "the Council has the capacity to achieve further service improvements".
This is very positive note to end the year on and is recognition of the excellent work going on across the Council and the professional leadership of our Chief Executive John Mundell and his management team.
The auditors have reported that "Overall, the Council is in good financial health" and they have recognised that good progress has been made to deliver savings through the Council's programme of efficiency workstreams. Like the Council itself, however, Grant Thornton acknowledge the significant challenges and difficult decisions ahead due to the pressures on public finances. They are satisfied that "the Council is taking appropriate action to manage its financial position in the medium term".
The auditors' report also concludes that "Overall, the Council performs well in delivering services" and that "The Council has well-developed arrangements to monitor and report on performance". The Council's governance arrangements are considered to be generally operating well and internal controls operating effectively, with the Internal Audit section performing well.
The Council is praised for the way it has worked well with its partners through the Inverclyde Alliance to agree a shared vision for the area.
Grant Thornton confirm in their report that "there are no significant concerns relating to Inverclyde Council" and that "the Council has the capacity to achieve further service improvements".
This is very positive note to end the year on and is recognition of the excellent work going on across the Council and the professional leadership of our Chief Executive John Mundell and his management team.
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