WITH the new council settled in, the focus for the administration now turns to the delivery of our election manifesto.

In Inverclyde Labour’s 2007, 2012 and 2017 manifestos we set out our vision of ‘an Inverclyde where everyone counts, where people can realise their full potential, where the vulnerable in our community are properly cared for, where our streets are safe and clean and where government listens to you’. 

Our plan is to make Inverclyde a learning community; a caring community; a more prosperous community; a safer and sustainable community; and a healthier community. 

We also want Inverclyde Council to be the best council in Scotland, known for being forward thinking, modern and efficient and recognised nationally for innovation and good practice.

Our vision is as relevant today as it was in 2007. It is a long-term vision and our plan is a long-term plan to make Inverclyde a better place for everyone.

Despite the challenging economic climate and the austerity policies of the UK and Scottish Governments, we continued to make progress over the last five years, building on the significant achievements of our first term in office from 2007 to 2012, by delivering on all our key pledges. 

When we agreed our manifesto for 2017 however we were realistic about what could be achieved over the next five years. 

The threat of continuing cuts to council funding and the council tax cap; increasing demand for services from an ageing and frailer population; inflationary pressures; and the economic and political uncertainty created by Brexit and the threat of another independence referendum, all combine to create the potential perfect storm.

Our 2017 manifesto set out five key pledges: opposition to cuts to local NHS services; completing the modernisation of our schools; investment in training and apprenticeship programmes; upgrading roads, pavements and street lighting; and working towards making Inverclyde a dementia and autism friendly community. 

We also set out a long list of other policy objectives we would like to deliver over the next five years. Unfortunately I don’t have the space to detail them here.

I can however provide a copy of our manifesto to anyone who would like one.

Labour councillors will use our manifesto to help us to shape and inform council policies and strategies, including of course the council’s financial strategy.

The reality is that we cannot deliver a better Inverclyde without access to the necessary resources.

With the development of next year’s council budget now underway councillors from all political groups are becoming increasingly aware of the potentially severe impacts on jobs and services if the actual cuts we have to make are on the scale currently anticipated. We all came into local politics to improve services not cut them.

If these cuts go ahead they will damage the opportunities for our children and young people to fulfil their potential; the vulnerable in our community will be less well cared for; and our streets will be less safe and clean.

Labour councillors, working with the wider labour and trades union movement, will do all we can to oppose cuts to our funding in the months ahead and argue for a better deal for local services. 

We call on councillors from other groups to join us in that fight.

Let’s put Inverclyde first and stand up for our local communities.