313 APRIL 2021 - Gryffe Advertizer

ward 1 - inverclyde
roads prograMMe:
The Council’s roads investment programme for 2021/22 includes a number
of local projects: carriageway resurfacing on Finlaystone Road (Yetts
Avenue to Leperstone Road) and Bridge of Weir Road (Lochwinnoch
Road to Rowantreehill Road); footway resurfacing of Lochwinnoch
Road (Knockbuckle Road to Castlehill Road); and widening of Glenmill
Bridge.
There are also a number of reserve projects: carriageway resurfacing
of sections of Belmont Road; footway resurfacing on Park Road
(Knockbuckle Road to Castlehill Road); resurfacing of the footbridge
over the cycle path on Lochwinnoch Road; and replacement of the
parapet of the Craigbet Avenue Bridge.
After consultation the Barrs Brae and Lochwinnoch Road car parks
will remain as free 24hour carparks. The Local Development Plan will
determine whether the new car park will be on Gillburn Road or behind
the old Police Station.
Cllr Stephen McCabe
CoVid-19: After a few false dawns, at long last there
appears to be light at the end of the tunnel when it comes
to this terrible virus. The virus rate in Inverclyde is again the
lowest in the health board area and the local vaccination
programme is making good progress. We can’t be afford
to be complacent however. We need to stick with the restrictions as long
as they are in place.
farMers MarKet: I received a number of complaints about the Kilmacolm
Famers Market and in particular the huge number of people visiting the
market on 6th March. While in normal times we would be delighted to
welcome visitors to Inverclyde the current restrictions don’t allow for nonessential
travel and the location of the market in Kilmacolm is not suitable
for such large numbers.
CounCil tax: The Council set its budget on 18th March, having previously
set the Council Tax on 18th February. The Council Tax was frozen at the
previous year’s levels, although households will see their bills increase
marginally as the Government has permitted Scottish Water to increase
its charges.
CounCil Budget: The priorities in setting the Council’s budget were to
limit any reductions in frontline services and jobs and support the recovery
from Covid. Despite a disappointing settlement yet again from the Scottish
Government we have achieved these objectives, in large measure through
the use of Council reserves. Key proposals in the budget include a £6m
Inverclyde Jobs Recovery Plan and a £4m Covid Recovery Fund.
ContaCt: My face to face advice surgeries remain suspended due to the
current Covid restrictions.
01475 712020 (during office hours) / Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.
uk. Alternatively you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm
PA13 4HL.
local community, local life ............... 16
Cllr David Wilson
litter piCKing: The admirable Kilmacolm
Litter Pickers, impressively organised
by Jennifer Cowan, have continued all
winter and make a significant difference
to the look of the village. The Community
Council had their annual clean up in March.
sChools: Schools will not be fully back until after Easter.
Some pupils will return for only a few hours a week in
the classroom and there should be more concern for the
logistical problems of working parents.
The Scarecrow competition organised by St Columba’s
Junior School brightened up Halloween as did the
Christmas light competition. Great thanks is due to the
girls at the Cross Café and the Community Council for
organising the Christmas Hamper Raffle which raised a
significant sum for the Guides and the Scouts.
The S1 intake for Port Glasgow High School has increased
from 100 to 120 for the academic year 2021/22. Under
Stuart Clark and Gillian Carroll the school has shown
significant academic improvement and the numbers of
placing requests tell their own story.
KnoCKnairshill CeMetarY: An expansion at a cost of
£1.6m has been approved to go to tender. This removes
any urgency from an extension to Kilmacolm Cemetery
though I do know there would be a demand for lairs in
the village.
BroWn Bins: The final pickups will be the 8th and 15th of
November. I have asked for a later date.
planning: The Local Development Plan will be concluded
after consultation by May. The hearings for both
applications at West of Quarry Drive and Plannetreeyetts
will be conducted around the end of April. Venue and
communication method to be decided. Still no news on
the Carsemeadow appeal in Quarriers.
roads: The safety measures on the Port Glasgow Road
A761 accident blackspot have been implemented. I am
concerned about speeding in the village and believe that a
20mph limit may help and would welcome comment.
laMBing season: I have been asked to remind dog
owners to keep dogs on a lead. Being worried by a dog
can cause a ewe to abort.
CoVid-19: I sit on a cross party Covid 19 Recovery Board of
5 Councillors. We assess sub groups including Economic,
Humanitarian, Education, Sport and Culture. We have
Covid 19 updates, in great detail, on a weekly basis. As I
write we are under 50 cases per 100,000.
ContaCt: david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk / 07766
992294, 01475 741969, 712975.
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