281 February 2018 - Gryffe Advertizer

kilmacolm & quarriers
38
kilmacolm & quarriers
Let's hear from our Councillors
Stephen McCabe reports:
IC BUDGET: The Council’s budget consultation closes on 11th February and I would encourage you, if you
have not already done so, to have your say. Details of how you can respond to the budget consultation are
available on the Council’s website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay and the budget simulator can be found
at https://inverclyde.budgetsimulator.com. You can email any comments you have to yoursay@inverclyde.
gov.uk.
The budget simulator is an online survey tool that allows you to make choices on how you would balance the
Council’s budget. We have set out 40 areas of budget cuts and increases to charges totalling over £8m and
are asking people as part of the consultation to identify up to £5m of their preferred options.
There are no easy options on the list. All the savings proposals will adversely impact on the local community,
be it through a loss of jobs and a reduction in service or through increased charges. The views you express
will help inform the fi nal shape of the Council’s budget, which will be decided at a special meeting of the full
Council on 15th March. I would also encourage you to lobby our local and regional MSPs, particularly the
Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay, for a better deal for the Council so that the level of savings
we need to make is reduced.
FLOOD PREVENTION: At the Environment and Regeneration Committee on 18th January an update was
given on the planned fl ood prevention works in Kilmacolm and Quarriers. The fi rst phase of works in
Kilmacolm to address the fl ooding at Gilburn Road/Market Place is likely to be an upgrade of the existing
culvert between Market Place and Smithy Brae. There is no fi rm timescale for the works to start, although
I would hope it would be during the course of this fi nancial year.
The Council’s consultant is fi nalising the design of a scheme for dealing with fl ooding from the Gotter Water
at Quarriers. This will involve the construction of a culvert to divert water that collects in the fi eld West of
Craigbet Avenue, and results in fl ooding to property, back into the Gotter Water.
Christopher Curley reports:
IC BUDGET: The Inverclyde budget consultation process runs until the 11th of February. Although the
Scottish Government settlement is better than hoped, possible savings have been identifi ed to balance the
budget and can be found in the “your council, your say” section of the Inverclyde Council website. Councillors
have not agreed any of these savings as yet and we want to hear your views on these savings before making
budget decisions in March. I would again encourage everyone to take part in the consultation.
PLANNING: I note the proposal of application notice by Gladman Developments with respect to the
proposed housing development at Carsemeadow in Quarriers Village and I will be attending the formal
public exhibition on the 8th February between 2pm and 8pm at Sommerville Weir Hall.
PETITIONS COMMITTEE: This met on the 1st February for the fi rst time in a number of months. I am vice
convenor of this committee which hears petitions in relation to council services, affording Inverclyde’s
citizens a direct route of engagement in the policy development process of the Council. More information
can be obtained on the Council’s website if you are interested in raising a petition.
David Wilson reports:
PLANNING: The application for housing at Knapps and North Dennistoun has, I understand, attracted some
1000 objections. Planning offi cers will read all of these and acknowledge them. They will be able to glean
the most popular reasons for objecting to the scheme. Statutory consultation with some dozen bodies will
also be conducted. Matters require to be concluded in four months. The MacTaggart and Meikle proposal
for West of Quarry Drive is expected soon, and the one by Gladman for Carsemeadow in Quarriers Village
takes place on Thursday 8th February 2018, 2pm - 8pm at Sommerville Weir Hall, Faith Avenue, Quarriers
Village, PA11 3TF.
IC BUDGET: We have gone out to consultation on possible budget savings. It is important that we get a
steer from our constituents. What might seem important to councillors is not necessarily agreed by the
public. We have managed to maintain front line services over the past eight years but things are getting
tighter. I meet often with English councillors and there is little doubt that Councils South of the Border have
suffered much greater cuts to their budgets than us in Scotland. The extra £1600 pa per head via the
Barnett Formula gives us a considerable advantage over the English Regions.
GOLF CLUB: Mrs Jane McDonald has been elected as the fi rst woman to be Captain of The Kilmacolm
Golf Club. The Club was formed in 1891 and the Ladies section in 1898. I spoke, while Captain, at the
100th anniversary of the Ladies section in 1998, and even then the Ladies did not have equality. Progress
indeed. I can now add Jane to a list of my bosses, which includes Ruth, Theresa and my wife.
ROADS: We have entered into a Roads Authorities Shared Service with West and East Dunbartonshire
Councils. Audit Scotland have concluded that increased collaboration and shared services should be the
way forward for all councils. Time will tell on this one, though our appropriate director envisages savings.
FLOODING: Consultants continue to investigate fl ooding from the Glenmosston Burn and its effect on
Gillburn Road and Market Place. Consideration is being given to the attenuation fl ows up stream in Glen
Moss.
the advertizer
kilmacolm & quarriers
Outlook
‘OUTLOOK’ is a social
community group in
Kilmacolm, that was created
to welcome everyone, young
and old, to come to share
friendship and fellowship
together. It is led by the Community
Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk. The
group meets in Kidston Hall on 1st and
3rd Thursday afternoons monthly, from
2pm to 4pm. The programme includes
invited speakers, afternoon tea, items of
community issues for discussion, dates for
your diary, plus entertaining activities.
PROGRAMME
February to May 2018
1st Feb Toe tapping entertainment
with Archie and Willie on
Accordians, Graham on
Drums
15th Feb S.S.A.F.A. – the Armed
Forces Charity
1st March William Kean – Organist,
Pianist and Photographer
– Scottish Favourites on piano
and violin
15th March Gentle Keep Fit with Grace
– Back by popular demand
5th April Heartstart. Morag Thow
– demonstration of simple
skills that save lives
19th April Holidays with Charlotte
– Travel Actually
3rd May Stories of a Councillor with
David Wilson
17th May Clydeside Singers – favourite
singalongs
The OUTLOOK team of Margaret Cook,
Sandra Crawford, Andrea Hargreaves,
Gordon McGibbon, Rae McPhee, Heather
Mutch, Catriona Miller, Judy Adams and Jill
Russell invite you to Come along, bring a
friend, spread the word that OUTLOOK is for
fellowship and friendship.
kilmacolm & quarriers
Kilmacolm Girl
Guiding Spring Fayre
Saturday 10th March 10am - 12:30pm
St Columba’s Church Hall
Come along and support our local Rainbows,
Brownies and Guides at the Girl Guiding
Daffodil Spring Fayre. Crafts, Tombola,
Easter Eggs, Home baking, Mother Day’s
Gifts, Bacon rolls and more.. Adults £2.50 /
Children £1.50 - refreshments included.
Your Ward 1 Councillors ... for Inverclye East (includes Kilmacolm & Quarriers)
deadline date for our march issue - Friday 16th February - You don’t want to miss it!!
36-45 NEW VILLAGE_281 FEBRUARY18.indd 38 25/01/2018 16:10:55