MSP & Councillor Welcome Regeneration Announcement

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and Director of Riverside Inverclyde, Councillor Chris Osborne, have today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement from the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Alex Neil MSP that Urban Regeneration Company (URC) Riverside Inverclyde is to receive further funding from the Scottish Government.

Riverside Inverclyde was already due to receive #2.5m in 2012/13 and will now benefit from an additional #1.5m in 2013/14.

Mr McMillan has been a vocal campaigner in support of Riverside Inverclyde and has continued to lobby the Scottish Government, through letters and meetings, for further financial assistance to be given to the URC.

Mr McMillan said;

“I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement from the Cabinet Secretary and SNP Government that Riverside Inverclyde is to receive an additional £1.5m funding for the year 2013/14.

“I have supported the work Riverside Inverclyde has done to regenerate the area and believe it’s vital they have the resources at their disposal to continue to develop Inverclyde after years of inactivity by previous administrations.

“This announcement on top of the £27.8m and £13.9m already allocated from the SNP Government and Scottish Enterprise respectively in addition to the £17.8m from Inverclyde Council will assist RI in their work.

“I am sure this news will be warmly welcomed in Inverclyde and I would expect the money to be invested to create further opportunities.”

Cllr Osborne said;

“I fully welcome the announcement that Riverside Inverclyde is to receive increased funding.

“I’m sure this funding will make a real difference and help continue the regeneration of Inverclyde.”

Timeline of action taken by Stuart McMillan MSP –

• Raised RI funding at EET Committee on 19th Jan 2011
• Letter to Min for Communities – Funding for RI – 24th Jan 2011
• Supported Scottish Government budget – Feb 2011
• SG announce URC Funding – RI £4m – 24th Feb 2011
• Meeting with Riverside Inverclyde - 19th October.
• Meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Fergus Ewing MSP, on Tuesday 1st November.
• Meeting with Cab Sec for Infrastructure – regarding Riverside Inverclyde future – 3rd Nov 11
• Letter to Cab Sec for Infrastructure – Regeneration Funding – 8th Nov 11
• Spoke in Scottish Parliament Regeneration debate – 16th Nov 11