PLANS have been drawn up for a £40,000 fund to help pay for events to mark the 250th anniversary of Port Glasgow becoming a burgh.

Inverclyde Council officials are proposing to allocate cash from the district’s Common Good fund to mark the milestone next year.

A report seeking permission from councillors states: “Local members [councillors] have requested consideration of financial support to mark this significant milestone.

“The Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum is keen to promote and support this occasion.”

The report continues: “The proposal is for the council to help to organise events or projects over 2025 linked to the celebration.

“The corporate communications team will work in partnership to help co-ordinate events already planned and to develop ideas for specific projects.

“The newly appointed Connecting Inverclyde heritage co-ordinator will play a key role in helping to shape the programme.

“The council already provide £13,300 financial support to the annual Comet Festival held in Port Glasgow.”

Authorities in Glasgow purchased land by the village of Newark to establish a port for the city in the late 16th century.

In 1710 the principal customhouse on the River Clyde was constituted at the Port of Glasgow.

The settlement around the port grew quickly and soon absorbed the fishing village of Newark.

Newark was a burgh of barony belonging to Hamilton of Wishaw, while Port Glasgow remained under the municipal authority of the City of Glasgow.

Recognising the complexities of this arrangement, an act of parliament was passed in 1775 establishing Port Glasgow as a burgh in its own right.

The Port Glasgow (Improvement) Act 1775 defined the burgh’s municipal responsibilities and its authority to raise duty. The Act was passed on 22 May 1775.