Report states £320k overspend in OAP care THE care of elderly people in Inverclyde is heading towards an overspend of more than £320,000.

Increased costs in providing care to the district’s senior citizens within their own homes is the main underlying reason.

But a £67,000 chunk of the total is down to the number of people still in residential and nursing care.

The figures are confirmed in a report set to go before the Inverclyde Community Health Care Partnership (ICHCP) today.

Brian Moore —corporate director of the CHCP — says in the report that the increase in expenditure is ‘predominantly due to the current home care and nursing and residential client costs’.

The projected overspend totals £323,000 — but Mr Moore says that the £67,000 residential care figure can be offset.

Meanwhile, the learning disabilities budget is heading for a £176,000 overspend, due to the expense of client residential packages and day care costs.

But senior official Mr Moore reports that the impact of the excess spending is ‘containable’ within the budget.

In addiction and substance misuse services, a £206,000 underspend is expected — partly because various staff vacancies have not been filled, which saved a total of £122,000.

The total £120m ICHCP budget for 2013/14 is heading for an underspend of £47,000.


Group’s support INVERCLYDE Bereavement Support Group meet this evening at 7.30pm in Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock.

For further details call 793524.


Woman’s syringe charge A WOMAN allegedly let a police officer search her while a syringe was hidden in her clothing.

Ann Hampsey, 34, is charged with telling the constable that she had no sharp objects prior to being searched.

She is accused of being in possession of an uncapped syringe which could have injured the female officer.

The incident is said to have happened within a common close in Greenock’s Drumfrochar Road in November last year.

Hampsey, of the Inverclyde Centre, also faces a charge of heroin possession. She is to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court on 8 May.


Rebecca in competition A NETBALL star who underwent major surgery after suffering an horrific knee injury will represent Scotland at the European Championships this weekend.

Greenock girl Rebecca Munn will fly out to Belfast today after she netted a place in the Scottish Girls’ Under 19 squad for the prestigious three day competition which starts tomorrow.

It is a special moment for the 19-year-old, who was forced to give up her sport for a year after rupturing a knee ligament.

She said: “I’m looking forward to it.”
Shop rant is denied A PORT man is accused of disorderly behaviour while in a Greenock town centre shop.

John Ross, 40, of Moorfield Avenue, is charged with shouting, swearing and making threats while in Superdrug on 23 January.

He pled not guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court.


Cinema in man’s home A GOUROCK film fan has been given the go-ahead to build an underground cinema at his Barrhill Road home.

Planning bosses have given the green light for a home cinema, bar and gym extension underneath the back garden.

Part of the garden will be dug out and the roof on the underground area will be grassed over apart from a roof light.


West End thefts THIEVES made off with a mountain bike and electric saw worth more than £1,000 in two Greenock west end raids.

They stole the £800 black and green Cube Attention bike from a shed in Carmichael Street between Monday night and Tuesday. On the same night a table saw costing £300 was taken from a garage in Fox Street.

This follows a break-in at Fox Street last week, when a lawnmower, strimmer and leaf blower worth £600 were stolen from a van.

Inspector Ian Kirkwood of Greenock police said: “It’s too early to say if these incidents are linked.

“I would encourage people to keep their properties secure.”
Mass at school A SPECIAL mass is being held at Notre Dame High School tonight.

The mass, by Bishop of Paisley John Keenan, is for all pupils who are sitting SQA exams.

Parents, carers, relatives and friends are also invited to the mass, which starts at 7pm in the assembly hall.


Cannabis fine A GREENOCK man has been fined for possession of cannabis resin.

Stuart Freeman, 26, was caught carrying the drug in his tracksuit on Bank Street on 31 October last year.

He admitted the offence through solicitor Aidan Gallagher at Greenock Sheriff Court. Freeman, of Drumfrochar Road, was ordered to pay £200.


Help for business SMALL businesses in Inverclyde can learn how to expand their services without the need to invest heavily during an upcoming event in Greenock Town Hall.

Business Connections on Tuesday 13 May, from noon to 7pm, will give smaller firms an insight into how they can benefit from working in partnership with other companies.

The event has been organised by the Federation of Small Businesses, Inverclyde Council and Skills Development Scotland.

Visitors interested in popping along to the event or any business who would like to book a stand should email Alan Lyall at alan.lyall@fsb.org.uk
Cash for children BIG-HEARTED volunteers have raised £485 to help needy children in the district.

Members of local charity Children in Poverty Inverclyde raised the cash by bag packing in the Morrisons store in Rue End Street in just over two hours. The money will go towards renting accomodation for a week at Hunter’s Quay holiday village in order to provide a much needed break for an Inverclyde family.

Charity chairman Pat Burke says he would like to thank everyone who contributed, and the volunteers for all their hard work.


Care home’s highly rated A GREENOCK care home which has been approved for a near half-million-pound revamp has been highly rated following an unannounced visit by inspectors.

Caladh House — which provides residential services to adults with learning disabilities — was given marks of just one point below the top grades available.

The facility, run by Turning Point Scotland, scored ‘very good’ in four key areas — quality of care and support, environment, staffing and management/leadership.

Inverclyde councillors rubber-stamped a £445,000 investment in January to convert the Bank Street unit into 10 flats with bedrooms including en-suite facilities.

An open plan sitting room with kitchenette is also included in the project.

Colin McCracken of the Care Inspectorate said: “We were impressed with the progress the provider has made in the year since taking over the service.

“More importantly, the people who use the service and their relatives are happy with how the service has improved.”
Sailings dates DAYTRIPPERS can now plan their excursions ‘doon the watter’ this summer.

A booklet containing timetable details of the Waverley’s sailings is out.

It includes information on the famous paddle steamer’s departures, destinations, dates and times of trips.

The season runs from 23 May until 19 October.


Car wash SCOUTS will hold a car wash at the Lyle Kirk’s Newark Street building on Saturday.

The event, organised by 70th Scout Group and Finnart Explorer Unit, runs from 10am to 1pm.

Tea and coffee will be available.

Proceeds will be used to meet costs of those taking part in the Blair Atholl Jamborette and the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.


Drugs denial A PORT man has denied swallowing an object while being searched for drugs.

Paul Gemmell, 41, is accused of obstructing two police officers near his home in Robert Street in October last year.

He pled not guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court and will stand trial next month.