Critics slam Inverclyde Taskforce's £70m Scottish Government wish list

Council leader Stephen McCabe and the district's MSP Stuart McMillan — who co-chair the Inverclyde Taskforce — are also facing claims that their committee has missed out a number of key potential projects.

The political pair laid out ‘ambitious but very much achievable’ schemes to deliver ‘meaningful change’ - including an expansion of Kelburn Business Park, the upgrading of Port Glasgow Industrial Estate, the redevelopment of Clune Park and the regeneration of Port Glasgow town centre.

However, critics have hit out at the fact that around £66m of the proposed pot is earmarked for projects in the Port — apparently ignoring other towns and villages throughout the district.

Cllr Colin Jackson (Image: Inverclyde Council)

Greenock councillor Colin Jackson told the Telegraph his 'heart sank' when he read the list of options put forward.

He said: "My initial thoughts were: how will any of this reverse the social and economic decline of Inverclyde, how will this tackle systemic poverty and deprivation and health inequalities or improve people's lives? The answer is it won't.

READ MORE: Inverclyde leaders propose £70 million regeneration plan through key projects

"We are a low-wage economy with many workers in unsecured work struggling to get by on poverty wages.

"Many in our communities face the same historic institutional barriers as their parents, living in poor housing with little or no hope of ever escaping.

"Do I think the task force has addressed this? Absolutely not. My hope is instead of saying 'job done', they have a rethink, go back to the drawing board and start again; failure is not an option."

Chris McEleny

Former Gourock councillor Chris McEleny, who now serves as the Alba Party's general secretary, called for a more even spread of potential funding for schemes across Inverclyde.

He said: "It would be more accurate to call this a Port Glasgow regeneration plan.

"It does look like the task force has been significantly swayed by what officials would like to see happening instead of proper resource allocation to address deprivation."

Inchgreen Dry Dock (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock has questioned the 'startling omission' of the marine industrial facility from the task force's proposals and asked that it be brought back into use as soon as possible.

Robert Buirds, secretary of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock, said: "Unfortunately there is no mention of Inchgreen Dry Dock or marine investment...which is quite a shock.

"We believe a rejuvenated marine industry would bring enormous benefits to our community and provide much-needed industrial work and skilled jobs."

Cllr Stephen McCabe (Image: social media)

But Cllr McCabe claimed there was a lack of understanding of the taskforce's aims and insisted that it was not 'a panacea for all the social and economic challenges we face'.

He said that other parts of Inverclyde have already benefited from or will benefit from major initiatives, whilst £10 million is being invested in the wider Inchgreen site to prepare it for further opportunities.

The council leader added: "We are continuing to take forward a number of other initiatives, such as the City Deal Projects, the Levelling Up Project and the Shared Prosperity Fund, as well as working to ensure Inverclyde benefits from other regional initiatives like the Investment Zone and the Clyde Mission. The asks from the task force are over and above these.

"The task force will be wound up within the next few months, having served its purpose. Its success or otherwise will depend largely on how the Scottish Government responds to these asks.

"Mr McEleny seems to be under the impression there is a £70m pot of money available to Inverclyde that we can distribute as we like.

"There is currently no commitment from the Scottish Government to provide any funding at all to Inverclyde."

Stuart McMillan MSP (Image: SNP)

Mr McMillan dismissed the notion that the proposals were 'plucked out of thin air', stating: "Yes, the majority of proposals relate to Port Glasgow - but I think everyone locally would like to see the Clune Park matter resolved and the area regenerated.

"Further, the expansion of Kelburn Business Park and investment within Port Glasgow Industrial Estate will benefit the local economy by providing better facilities for businesses and jobs.

“To those who are criticising the task force’s calls for investment in Port Glasgow town centre, I’d remind them that Gourock town centre has undergone significant investment over the past decade and plans are in motion to regenerate Greenock town centre.

"Any investment the task force secures should not be used as a sticking plaster; it must be used to deliver solutions that will benefit Inverclyde in the long-term.”