December 2016

It’s hard to believe that this month’s meeting was the last one of 2016 ! This year has been a busy one for all of us on the community council, we have seen much achieved and a great deal of change for both village’s. This year we have dealt with hundreds of issues on a variety of subjects on behalf of villagers, made representations to local and national government and supported groups in both villages. Our community council email account has seen over 1,000 emails this year we have continually invested in our website and social media presence to keep people up-to-date with what is happening.

Returning to my usual monthly blog on our December meeting, at our meeting this month we received our usual police update about crime that has been committed in the area. This update included an update as to the missing person enquire on Margaret Fleming. Many of you know about Margaret by now and unfortunately, she still has not been found. But we know the Police are doing everything they can to find Margaret, I ask that if you know of anything about Margaret that could help the police then contact them via the 101 number.

Of the issues that were brought up at our monthly meeting, there was a discussion about the road condition in Inverkip at the bottom of Langhouse Road, the Community Council will be looking into this to find out why the roads have not been properly restored. Another issue was the state of the Wemyss Bay Hotel which again has windows broken on it, the Community Council is looking at this issue with Inverclyde Councils Warden Services.

We discussed and encouraged those present to participate in the council’s budget consultation, which you can find out more about here https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/council-and-government/yoursay Unfortunately, the council needs to make savings of £22.5million during the period 2017/20, given the scale and pace of the savings required the Council will have no option but to reduce spending in some areas of service delivery. Meaning that some services that we rely on will either be reduced or stopped altogether. As such I strongly support the council in their budget consultation, seeking to engage public opinion on this issue, is the right and democratic thing to do by giving the public a say in the process. To that end please go on and complete the budget survey which you will find here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Inverclydecouncilbudgetconsultation

And with that we are at the end of my December blog and my last for 2016, I wish everyone from both villages to our local business a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes. Please make sure to stay safe this Christmas and New Year.