A CAMPAIGNING councillor has called for the introduction of free sporting activities in Port Glasgow to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. 

Robert Moran wants to see funding set aside through the council's Fairer Futures Partnership (FFP) to help the people of the Port get out and get fit without having to spend any money. 

Speaking at a recent meeting of the council's education and communities committee, Councillor Moran highlighted the low life expectancy figures in upper Port Glasgow and shared his concerns. 

Boglestone Community Centre (Image: Newsquest) He pointed to ongoing work at Boglestone Community Centre as part of the FFP but said a lot of local people can't afford an Inverclyde Leisure membership.

Councillor Moran added: "As someone who represents that part of Inverclyde, I think the life expectancy figures are intolerable. 

"It is a national disgrace.

"A lot of people we want to target cannot afford to go to Inverclyde Leisure. 

"You always see people running about Battery Park all the time. 

"I wonder if there's some sort of mechanism we can use in upper Port Glasgow where people can get together and just go out for a run. 

"It would be organised and it wouldn't cost them a penny."

Inverclyde Council awarded was £497,000 by the Scottish Government until the end of March 2026 to develop and implement the Fairer Futures Partnership. 

Councillor Robert Moran (Image: Newsquest) The programme will develop a person-centred pathfinder hub in Boglestone Community Centre which will 'serve as a central point for multi-agency collaboration and person-centred support' for people living in Port Glasgow who are facing inequalities. 

Councillor Moran asked council officers if the partnership money could be used to provide free activities. 

He added: "There must be something we can do; give people somewhere they can go along that doesn't cost anything."

Hugh Scott, service manager for community learning development, community and resilience, and sport, said the council is actively looking at ways to enhance Boglestone Community Centre. 

He said: "We've received money through the Fairer Futures Partnership to enhance the centre and to work with more partners to encourage participation within upper Port Glasgow. 

"We will be looking at events in the Boglestone centre away from Inverclyde Leisure and co-design that work with the community. 

"We're happy to work with community councils in wider Port Glasgow."