We have experienced one of the coldest winters
on record. All over West Renfrewshire there have
been complaints about boilers and many burst pipes
including in my Quarriers constituency offi ce. This is
one of many reasons why I am backing a campaign for
grants to allow householders to replace old boilers.
Scottish Labour has launched an online petition to urge
the Scottish Government to press ahead with a boiler
scrappage scheme, which would benefi t 12,000 homes
in Scotland by helping reduce fuel bills, cut carbon
emissions and boost the plumbing industry. Householders in England
will get £400 towards the cost of a new energy effi cient boiler, but the
Scottish Government currently has no plans to for a similar scheme.
I hope Advertizer readers will sign this petition to urge Scottish Ministers
to see sense and commit to a boiler scrappage scheme in Scotland now.
You can sign up now at www.scottishlabour.org.uk/cold, if you do not have
What a start to the New Year with all the bad weather
internet access and would like to sign up please phone my constituency
we had. I appreciate how diffi cult it was for all of us to
offi ce on 01505 615337. There is no reasonable justifi cation for failing
go about our normal business.
to press ahead with the scheme. I know from talking to colleagues that
While praising Council staff for their sterling efforts
constituents are anxious for information about the scheme.
under exceptionally challenging circumstances, I
I believe my constituents should have the availability of a boiler scrappage
have agreed with the Chief Executive that it would
scheme. The Scottish Government must move quickly to introduce a
be appropriate to undertake a review of the Council’s
similar cash-back scheme for effi cient boilers and micro-renewables
winter maintenance policies and practices to identify
here. Since Scottish Ministers will receive extra cash from the treasury
if there are any lessons that require to be learned for
through the Barnet consequential, they have no excuse for not investing
the future. The Chief Executive will arrange for this
it in energy saving.
review to be undertaken and a report submitted to the
Council’s Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee.
February Surgeries: Friday 12th February – 4.30pm at Old Farm House
Community Centre, Erskine, Friday 26th February – 3.30pm at Kilmacolm
On 9th February the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee will meet
Community Centre, 4.30pm at Bogelstone Community Centre, Port
to agree the budget for the next fi nancial year, 2010/11. Due to our
Glasgow.
prudent approach to fi nancial management in the past two budgets the
Council is projecting a relatively good position for 2010/11, which will
Useful numbers: Energy Assistance Package - Telephone: 0800 512
allow us to freeze the Council Tax for the third year running and continue
012 - Web: www.energyassistancepackage.com - Home Heat Helpline -
to invest in our schools and leisure facilities and the regeneration of
Telephone: 0800 33 66 99 - Web: www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
the waterfront. We will also use the 2010/11 budget as a platform for
addressing the signifi cant savings targets that we are likely to face over
Erskine’s Special Taxi
the next few years.
Taxi Driver Robert Malcolm delivered a
Our offi cers have estimated that from 2011 to 2014 the Council will have
very special surprise to the veterans’
to deliver savings of around £28 million. During the next 18 months we
charity Erskine by branding the
will develop savings proposals that take into account the priorities set
outside of his cab. After attending an
out in our Corporate Plan. We will also consider how we can deliver
Erskine presentation in Glasgow City
services more effi ciently in partnership with other public agencies.
Chambers, Robert knew he was going
The Council recently published its Public Performance Report for
to help Erskine. Then he had the idea
2008/09, which highlights the progress that has been made in achieving
of donating valuable advertising space. He said “It costs
key objectives and the improvements planned for future years. This
£28k per day to keep the fi ve homes across Scotland open and hopefully
document is worth a read and can be found on the Council’s website at
my taxi will help spread the word.”
www.inverclyde.gov.uk.
WWII RAF veteran Joe Parker climbed inside to have a look from the
You can keep up to date with my work as a Councillor by visiting my new
customer’s point of view. He said “Robert is a very generous man and I
blog: http://councillorstephenmccabe.blogspot.com/.
think the taxi looks great. We are always very grateful for the support we
My next surgery is on 16th February from 6pm-7pm in St Francis Primary
get from the public and with the ongoing confl icts our younger veterans
School, Port Glasgow. My next surgery in Kilmacolm Community Centre is
will need this support for many years to come.”
on 23rd February from 6.30pm–7.30pm.
You can also contact me directly to discuss any matters that are of concern
to you by telephone on 01475 712020 (during offi ce hours) and 871368
(home) or by email to Stephen.McCabe@inverclyde.gov.uk. Alternatively
you can write to me at 10 Victoria Gardens, Kilmacolm PA13 4HL.
4 FEBRUARY 2010 | send your ARTICLES & PHOTOS to info@advertizer.co.uk www.advertizer.co.uk| 01505 874385 | www.theadvertizer.co.uk
185_FEB10_04-09 GEN+COUNCIL.ind.indd 4 22/01/2010 11:50:41
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