TWO Inverclyde councillors have been appointed to a town board which will help direct £20 million of investment in central Greenock.

Councillors Francesca Brennan and Elizabeth Robertson were unanimously voted in as the local authority’s representatives on the new Greenock Town Board.

The group will bring together local and national stakeholders to develop improvement plans for the area and decided how best to utilise money from the UK Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns Fund.

Greenock is one of seven Scottish locations selected for funding, which aims to regenerate town centres and address issues such as deprivation and anti-social behaviour.

Greenock Telegraph: Elizabeth RobertsonElizabeth Robertson (Image: Archive)

This funding is additional to the £20 million received from the Levelling Up Fund, and the £3.2 million allocated to the West Blackhall Street regeneration project.

Councillor Brennan said: “It’s an honour to join the Greenock Town Board and help shape the future of the town centre alongside other local representatives.

“These are exciting times for central Greenock with over £45m of investment underway and in the pipeline, in addition to the magnificent new Greenock Ocean Terminal visitor centre and community facility which opened last year.

“I’m pleased to have the support of my fellow councillors to represent the council alongside Cllr Robertson and help deliver more positive change for Greenock.”

Greenock Telegraph: Francesca BrennanFrancesca Brennan (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Robertson added: “The town board will bring together key local stakeholders to help identify the needs of Greenock Town Centre and work in partnership to develop a long term plan to tackle the issues the area faces and bring about meaningful change.

“This will build on the great work that has already taken place and projects that are coming down the line very soon.

“I look forward to representing the council on this board along with Cllr Brennan and developing plans to utilise this significant funding to the fullest extent possible for the benefit of the town centre, Greenock, and Inverclyde.”

An independent chairperson from the local community or world of business will be appointed in due course, before the board is tasked with developing a ten-year regeneration plan.