INVERCLYDE Council has offered a public apology to a campaigner after claiming that a 'technical issue' was to blame for its failure to meet a statutory deadline to respond to an information request.

Municipal Buildings bosses say an investigation is under way into the error after it forced the council to miss a target to reply to local man Robert Buirds' freedom of information (FOI) enquiry.

Mr Buirds, who is secretary of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock, had asked the local authority, on behalf of the recently-formed Inchgreen Marine Park Ltd, to list how much of the new company's cash came from public funds, as well as specifics on work to attract investment to the disused site, which is currently being redeveloped.

Under the terms of the legislation, public bodies are required to answer queries, or explain why they are unable to provide details, within the maximum 20-day period.

After hearing nothing for weeks following the submission, Mr Buirds reported the matter to the Scottish Information Commissioner - and a judgment has found that the council failed to respond within the timescale and also did not comply with the applicant's requirement for review in due course.

Greenock Telegraph: Robert Buirds, secretary of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry DockRobert Buirds, secretary of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock (Image: Supplied)

Mr Buirds asked Inverclyde Council:

  • Since its incorporation on March 22, 2022, what proportion of investment in Inchgreen Marine Park Ltd (IMPL) has come from shareholders, and what proportion of investment in IMPL from public funds
  • How does IMPL advertise business opportunities at Inchgreen Marine Park to attract companies to move there?
  • What type of companies does IMPL hope to attract?
  • Which companies have contractually committed to move into Inchgreen?
  • If specific company names are considered commercially sensitive, how many companies have contractually committed to move into Inchgreen?
  • What due diligence is done on a company that applies for a lease at Inchgreen Marine Park?
  • Who carries out the due diligence on these companies for IMPL?
  • What commitment is requested from a company moving onto Inchgreen Marine Park regarding business investment, lease arrangements, employment numbers and training?
  • If the leaseholder fails to meet their obligations to IMPL, what safeguards are in place to recover any public funds given to the leaseholder?
  • What benefits will a company receive by setting up at Inchgreen Marine Park regarding the dry dock?
  • What targets have been set for the level of employment to be generated through IMPL’s management of public funds?
  • What timescale has been set to attract companies and achieve those targets?
  • What happens if IMPL fails to adhere to the targets set?
  • Who is responsible for the repayment of public funds if IMPL is a complete failure and does not provide the work and employment numbers envisaged in the application for City Deal funding?

The FOI request was lodged in October last year and Mr Buirds contacted the local authority again the next month in the absence of a response, before he raised the issue with the information commissioner in January.

The local campaigner told the Telegraph he has received no response, apology or further communication from the council since.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “There was a technical issue which meant we didn’t receive the original request and that unfortunately had a knock-on effect and we are investigating the matter.

“We note the commissioner’s decision and we are carrying out a review as per the recommendation and we will report back to the commissioner and requestor in line with the timeline set out and to offer our apologies for the delay.

“However, we are happy to publicly apologise to the commissioner and requestor.”