Phase 2, Community Council Review

Your say on your community councils

Inverclyde Council has launched the second stage consultation in its review of community councils

The review will help shape how Inverclyde’s community councils will look in future.

Community councils are the third tier of government, bridging the gap between communities, council and national governments. They play an important role in towns and villages across Scotland.

At the moment there are 11 Inverclyde community council areas. The new consultation proposes merging some areas to create eight areas with the aim of this being to make sure that communities are better represented and to make the areas more clearly defined.

Inverclyde Council’s Community Council Champion, Councillor Paul Cassidy, said: “This is an important consultation that can help to shape the voice of communities right across Inverclyde and I would urge you to take part.

“It’s important to emphasise these proposed boundary changes are exactly that, proposals. They are not the final boundaries, but they are ones that we genuinely want to hear the public’s views on.

“I see community councils from two sides. As a former community council member myself, I know only too well the dedication of community council members in being a strong voice and advocates for their community, working closely together to make sure the towns and villages of Inverclyde are great places to live and visit.

“As a councillor with Inverclyde Council, I also now get to see community councils from a different view and the crucial role they have in local decision making, working with community partners such as the police and having a voice in issues such as planning.

“The consultation will help to shape, strengthen and enhance what community councils look like for years to come. I hope also that it raises the profile of community councils going forward and encourages many more people to give their time and skills to their local community council. It is very worthwhile and can help to make sure your town or villages voice is strong.”

You can have your say on the community council consultation at: www.inverclyde.gov.uk/communitycouncilreview

The proposals can also be examined at Inverclyde Council’s Customer Service Centre at the Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square, Greenock, PA15 1LY or any of Inverclyde Council’s libraries.

The consultation is open to any individual and organisation and written suggestions or representations should be received by 5pm on Tuesday 15th August 2023 either by email to community.councils@inverclyde.gov.uk or in writing to the Head of Legal, Democratic, Digital and Customer Services, Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings, Clyde Square, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1LY.

Christian Aid Week

14th - 20th May

This year, we again operated a delivery-only system of envelopes throughout Kilbarchan and Brookfield, asking folks to return their envelopes to the Church Hall, to Brookfield Village Hall, or to donate electronically via the JustGiving page on our website.

The total sum raised was £3,460.55 which, together with the Gift Aid recoverable by Christian Aid, means that almost £4,200 will be available to support their efforts to change lives. This is a great response (more than £500 above last year’s total) particularly given the pressures on household budgets at this time. We are most grateful to all who donated so generously. None of this could be achieved without the efforts of many volunteers who give of their time to distribute envelopes and count the donations. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.

Our contribution to this year’s appeal has helped raise more than £2.5 million in the UK, at the time of writing, with donations still coming in.

This fundraising is vital to support the efforts of Christian Aid to help those in need in some of the poorest communities in the world, and to campaign for real change which will remove the inequalities which blight the lives of so many.

cllr david wilson

I was invited to No 10 during July and was able to discuss with Ministers and special advertisers matters with regard to Inverclyde. I am disappointed to not win the bid for one of the two FreePorts in Scotland, but appreciative of Levelling Up and City Deal monies for the Ocean Terminal and Inchgreen. The West of Scotland bid was an excellent one and as well as Inverclyde, covered the Airport environs.

The Scottish Government and COSLA are consulting on what I oppose and consider to be unreasonable increases on the four highest bands of Council Tax, namely E, F, G and H. The increases are 7.5%, 12.5%, 17.5% and 22.5% and would be on top of any normal increase in 24/25.

The Armed Forces Act of 2021 has become law and Inverclyde Council welcomes our responsibilities under the Act. We have duties with regard to health, social care, housing and education. We must have regard to the unique obligations and sacrifices made by our armed forces.

St Columba’s Junior School always have inspirational speakers at their Prizegiving in St Columba’s Church. Horse McDonald, singer songwriter, was no exception. She emphasised to the youngsters that there is no problem with being different and received a massive ovation for singing without accompaniment. The regular Beating the Retreat in Birkmyre park was quite stirring. We wish the band well in the World Championships in Glasgow this month.

Our Shipbuilders Statue in Coronation Park was “launched” by my colleague Robert Moran, a former shipyard worker. The 33ft piece of public art attracts visitors.

New bins have appeared on the splendid pavements. A problem are the blue commercial rubbish bags which are collected three times a week, but often not before the crows and seagulls get pecking at them. Traders should keep them, if possible, inside the shop until the morning of collection.

The Best Bus Service Award was for our £1.3m support for many Community Transport organisations in the West of Scotland. Here in Inverclyde we support Ardgowan Hospice patient transport, Port Glasgow voluntary transport group and Inverclyde VCSS. All excellent transport causes.

Surgeries: 26th: 10am -11am, the Cargill, Kilmacolm