THIS week’s look into our archives takes us back 17 years – when Inverclyde Council taxpayers were warned that they could end up footing the bill for the Scottish Executive’s flagship ‘free care for the elderly’ policy.
New figures had shown that social work finance chiefs had to fork out an extra £1.9 million in 2005 to meet demand, with an elected official warning the problem would only get worse.
Older people’s representative Councillor Campbell Snoddy said the area’s growing older population was going to lead to greater financial strain because of the new scheme.
Inverclyde Council, along with others across the country, had complained that the flagship Scottish Executive policy had been chronically underfunded since it started four years ago.
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Mr Snoddy, vice-convenor of the health and social care committee, said at the time: “We have been under funded from day one and this is likely to have a big impact on council tax levels.
“We have to find the money from somewhere else.”
Elsewhere, locals were hoping for the last of the summer shine at Gourock’s outdoor pool before the whistle of the season was blown.
The sun split the skies as leisure bosses got ready for the final splashdown of the year.
And it was all smiles as the heated seawater pool had recorded record numbers of swimmers during the summer season.
Local councillor George White, convenor of the community committee, said at the time: “This is the longest the pool has been open for many years.
“Inverclyde Leisure took a gamble to stay open for an extra month and it has paid off.
“Here’s to next year. We are hoping it will be just as good.”
Meanwhile, a bride-to-be who wanted to tie the knot on a shoestring was looking for a favour.
June McFarlane had waited 13 years to get wed and wanted to share the whole day with her children.
But she couldn’t find anywhere affordable that would accommodate the kids after 10pm.
Greenock mum-of-three proposed to long-time love David Tannock in 2005.
The only cloud on the horizon was finding somewhere to hold the reception for up to 150 guests.
June, who was an administrator at the Volunteer Centre, said at the time: “I’ve tried bowling and social clubs but the kids have to leave by 10pm.
“I want everyone to stay to the end.”
In other news, Clune Park primary pupils got a glimpse behind the stage curtain when a theatre company rolled into town — and their visit proved a roaring success.
The M and M travelling theatre group showed primary six and seven pupils the tricks of the trade involved in running a stage show, such as snappy costume changes.
The children were able to try some of the company’s props and got the chance to see the practical side of a theatre performance.
In sport, Morton manager Jim McInally was fully focused on winning the Second Division and hailed his team for profiting at a notoriously difficult venue.
The Greenock side left Station Park in Forfar with maximum points thanks to goals from Derek Lilley, Paul McGowan and Chris Millar.
Forfar grabbed a late consolation through Barry Donald but it couldn’t take the shine off a victory that kept Morton five points clear at the top of the table with an unscathed away record.
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