£4m recovery investment

The council is set to invest £4m to boost recovery across Inverclyde.

The fund, approved by councillors yesterday (25 May 2021), includes extra support for business and town centres, extra funding for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, increased place marketing for Inverclyde, boosting access to sports and fitness and earlier implementation of Universal P4-7 School Meals.

Inverclyde Council Leader and convener of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “We have already launched a significant phase of our recovery interventions with the Inverclyde Works £6m jobs and employability programme.

Councillor Stephen McCabe
Councillor Stephen McCabe

“The next level of investment includes a range of practical areas where we can support wider recovery from covid including supporting people to get better access to sport and fitness to encourage our area to be more resilient. 

“The recovery programme also focusses on support for business, especially our towns and villages.  Throughout the pandemic even when national restrictions allowed it was our local high streets that were there to support local people including businesses doing more business online or delivering differently to keep customers safe. 

“Our recovery programme includes measures to support our towns and villages and other businesses."

The interventions also bring universal free school meals for children in primaries four to seven across Inverclyde.

“The recovery plan also includes supporting our young people of all ages including extra investment in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme to further boost Inverclyde’s position as one of the most successful areas in the country.  Universal free school meals for primary pupils will also be introduced earlier than planned to support young people and families right across our school estate,” added Councillor McCabe.

  1. The report to councillors highlights the range of activities as part of Inverclyde Council’s organisational recovery plan: https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/2355
  2. The report includes the following recovery interventions:

Enhanced Cleaning - Buildings (net extra cost) £286,000

Additional Cleaning Materials /Sanitiser/Wipes £100,000
Cornalees/Lunderson Bay Cleaning Toilets - £13,000

Helpline Continuation £45,000

Increased Occupational Health Provision £30,000

Additional Human Resources Support to Services £95,000

Additional ICT Service Desk Technicians £105,000

Extra Temporary Capacity - Pottery Street Depot £100,000

Extra Duke of Edinburgh Opportunities £200,000

Earlier implementation of Universal P4-7 School Meals £192,000

Lighting, Gourock Amphitheatre £45,000

Launch of Sports Strategy £10,000

Signage for Rankin Park £10,000

Large Outdoor Festival in 2022 £350,000

Allocation to Localities for Recovery Events £120,000

Small Grants/Waivers to support small groups restarting £10,000

Marketing Post & Support for Discover Inverclyde £220,000

Contribution to City Region Marketing Campaign £50,000

Establish Inverclyde Cares Board & Memorial £40,000

Provide passess for leisure access for physical activity £50,000

Support participation in groups and to re-engage with communities £60,000

Develop Food to Fork project to promote Growing Strategy £30,000

Develop Wellbeing Campaign £35,000

Rent Relief Scheme £150,000

Town Centre Promotion/Events £200,000

Support for Digital Marketing £150,000

Import/Export/Access to Stock Support £50,000

Extension to Discretionary Grants Scheme £500,000

Extension to Pay and Display suspension - 12 months £349,000

Investment in Clyde Muirshiel Park £250,000

Investment in Council Parks to encourage outdoor activity £200,000