Budget

Yesterday afternoon, the Scottish Government published its draft budget for next year, which was after I filed this column.

The draft budget sets out the amount of money councils are due to receive through the local government settlement and this year how much the government will offer councils in return for agreeing to freeze council tax.

We will get a clearer picture in the coming days as COSLA and council officers analyse the budget and the draft local government settlement as to what it means for councils in general, and Inverclyde Council in particular. The likelihood however is that it will be yet another difficult financial settlement for councils.

There is currently a budget consultation running through until 5 January 2024 for residents to have their say on local spending priorities to allow myself and my fellow councillors to look at ways to close an estimated £5.4 million funding gap over the next two years.

So please take time to make your voice heard by completing the survey. It can be found on the council’s website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay

Greenock Police Station

On Monday morning I attended a briefing by Police Scotland Scotland’s Divisional Commander on the force’s plan to close the current Greenock Police Station. It is fair to say that the national messaging around this issue has not been very clear.

The Divisional Commander assured elected members that there was never any plan to leave Inverclyde without a police station and that the estates team is actively looking for alternative premises, which meet the needs of the force and the local community. He said it could be up to 18 months before the current station closes and the new one opens.

The council’s Local Police and Fire Scrutiny Panel will ensure that any plan for the reprovisioning of police services in Inverclyde is the subject of robust political scrutiny.

Greenock town centre improvements

A report will go to the next meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Committee on 18 January providing an update on the £22m Greenock Town Centre Levelling Up project. Good progress is being made on the design of the project and work should start in earnest during the first half of next year.

Around £19m of the total funding is from the UK Government with the remaining balance from the council and other project partners. This is an exciting project designed to make Greenock town centre more attractive, bring in more visitors and create opportunities for new businesses and jobs.

This will be achieved by demolishing the Bullring and redesigning the A78 flyover to improve town centre connections, modernising the retail space, including the Oak Mall, creating new public spaces, and exploring opportunities for a new cultural quarter centred around the Glebe Building.

There is also an update going to committee about the £3.7m West Blackhall Street redevelopment, with work on that due to begin on 8 January.

These are just two of the exciting projects that are set to begin next year with the aim of making Inverclyde an even better place to live, work, visit and do business.

It is testament to the work of the council in the face of constant financial challenges that we have been able to secure large-scale, external investment for these important regeneration projects and I look forward to seeing them progress over the coming weeks, months and years.

Last column of the year

This is my final column of 2023 so I would like to take this opportunity wish my loyal readers – you know who you are - a great Christmas and my best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2024.