£9m will make a huge impact on deprivation

[tiddles]

From the Tele archives March, 2003

AMBITIOUS plans to improve public services in Inverclyde were unveiled last night. Inverclyde"s nine social inclusion partnership (SIP) areas are to share £9m through the Scottish Executive"s Better Neighbourhood Services Fund (BNSF) to improve street lighting, help drug addicts, tackle other health issues and increase job opportunities . A total of £4.8m has been allocated specifically for Port Glasgow"s Robert Street area, and Maukinhill and Branchton in Greenock - which will also pay for a dedicated police team of a sergeant and five constables to increase the fight against crime - while the other six SIP zones will share the rest of the cash. The proposals were reported in theTelegraph last year, but have now been launched officially. Money from the Executive scheme is being aimed at Scotland"s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods over the next three years. Inverclyde councillor Stephen McCabe, who chairs the fund"s local committee, said: 'This provides Inverclyde with a great opportunity to improve local services and to deliver real improvements for people in the targeted neighbourhoods. 'I"m pleased with the progress we"ve made over the first few months of the initiative. Local people have contributed greatly to the development of the projects in their neighbourhoods.' He added: 'There have already been some early successes and these have been well received by local people.' Sgt. Campbell Crawford of the police said: 'As part of the community safety aspect of the fund, and in response to community consultations, six officers under my supervision were appointed in February to supplement the policing in the three targeted neighbourhoods. 'The objective is to provide an increased community policing presence, and we have been working with the local communities and addressing the crimes and offences they have highlighted.' Tommy Cairns, chairperson of Branchton Neighbourhood BNSF Panel, said: 'We have been given full support and co-operation from Inverclyde Council.' And Colin Grainger, lead officer for the fund, said: 'Projects will be closely monitored with an overall evaluation taking place at the end of the three-year period. 'It will be important to demonstrate the £9m has made a real and positive impact on the lives of local people.'

What a great load of old shite. All that money down the drain but I bet all the cake and coffee served at the meetings did Tony Buckley some good.