RI Will Survive - McMillan Gets Assurances from Cabinet Secretary

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) met with Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment regarding the future of Riverside Inverclyde.

Mr McMillan has won a key concession from the Cabinet Secretary that RI will survive beyond the next financial year (2012/13). The Cabinet Secretary has agreed that RI has an important part to play in Inverclyde’s regeneration and that the URC will be able to bid for government funding up until 2015/16, thereafter the assets of RI will be transferred to another organisation.
RI have a lifespan of 10 years and this is due to come to a natural end by 2016.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. McMillan said;

"I would like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for agreeing to meet me so soon after I made the request yesterday. I think this shows the importance the Cabinet Secretary places upon the regeneration of Inverclyde and wider Scotland.

"The Cabinet Secretary agreed with me that Inverclyde has made positive strides due to the work of RI. He has listened to my arguments and provided me with an assurance that RI will continue up until the end of its natural life (2015/16).

"Riverside Inverclyde will get funding for next year and thereafter they will be in a position to bid for funds from the new regeneration strategy that will be introduced.

"The news yesterday will have come as a shock to everyone but I am delighted the Cabinet Secretary has listened to my arguments and conceded on the future of RI.

"Acting decisively and pushing Inverclyde’s case forward was the right course of action to take here. I am elected to play my part in moving Inverclyde forward and will always fight Inverclyde’s corner."