The Opposite View

As you would imagine there was an overwhelming response which highlighted that across Inverclyde there are a variety of different priorities, however it is clear that the vast majority of people share one common aspiration – that Inverclyde becomes a better place to live.

Priorities that people thought should be discussed were plentiful: attracting investment to Inverclyde; the adverse impact on Inverclyde that being dragged out the EU will result in; poor flood defences and the same places seeming to flood every single time there is heavy rain; the state of roads in Inverclyde; child poverty; anti-social behaviour; ensuring Inverclyde Council is more in touch with the reality of everyday life in Inverclyde; protecting public services; attracting more tourism to the area; keeping crime down at a record low; providing opportunities for young people.

As you can see there are so many issues that matter to people that live in our area. Many of these issues won’t be changed overnight and for some it may take years to get there, but what is important is that we are moving in the right direction to get there.

I will be talking about all of these issues and many more over the next eight weeks so please take the opportunity to attend any public events you may see advertised in the run up to the council elections on May 4.

One issue that was raised was actually quite timely as it coincided with an item I progressed through committee on Tuesday.

Team sport in Inverclyde helps benefit thousands of people every single week of the year.

Whether it is the 1,100 young people that participate in youth football or the hundreds of coaches that get volunteering experience in helping facilitate training sessions and matches.

Additionally hundreds of adults also take part in the sport encouraging active lifestyles across Inverclyde.

Unfortunately as part of last year’s council budget the funding stream that helps sustain youth football was cut.

There is a fear that this could threaten the long term sustainability of many youth clubs across the area.

Furthermore many adult teams are also struggling to meet the expensive costs of hiring facilities in Inverclyde, this is something I know first-hand through my experience of being chairman of local amateur club Gourock Athletic.

That is why at Tuesday’s committee I was delighted to receive support on producing a report to set out how we can make team sports in Inverclyde more sustainable.

A common concern raised with me is that there doesn’t seem to be enough for young people to do in Inverclyde. Surely then we should be offering every support to youth clubs that help give over a thousand young people an activity they want to go and participate in for two hours on two nights a week and two hours at the weekend?

Then of course there’s the added bonus that it helps keep young people fit and promotes them leading healthy lifestyles as they get older.

I thank every single volunteer that helps sustain sporting opportunities for people across Inverclyde, whether it is football, swimming, rugby or any sport.

An SNP-led council will work with all sports groups to ensure that the funding required is available to maintain the great work they are carrying out to improve people’s lives across Inverclyde.