BOSSES of an agency set up to regenerate one of Scotland’s most economically deprived areas have defended their record after it emerged key targets on building homes, creating jobs and winning investments had been missed.
Leaders of Riverside Inverclyde said the agency had achieved many successes despite the recession and continuing downturn.
They hit back after it was revealed the body, created seven years ago by Inverclyde Council and Scottish Enterprise, had met just 7% of its job target of 2600 in its seven years in existence.
It has built only 5% of the 2285 new homes promised, while securing 1% of the private sector investment expected to be levered from £60 million of public funding, according to a mid-term review.
In a joint statement, Alf Young, chairman of the agency, Stephen McCabe, Inverclyde Council leader, and senior Scottish Enterprise director Adrian Gillespie said: “Riverside Inverclyde began operating almost in parallel with the worst economic downturn in living memory. Set against that backdrop it has achieved many successes.
“These include the development of the Clydeview Business Park, which has and will accommodate hundreds of jobs with locally-based companies which would arguably have been lost to Inverclyde, and significant investment in our town centres to encourage investment and economic prosperity.
“Riverside Inverclyde was given a very specific task to develop and regenerate sites blighted by heavy industry and decades of economic decline and has been extremely successful in bringing forward innovative projects.
“Riverside Inverclyde has set in place the building blocks for future development and investment as the economic outlook improves. It is well placed more than ever to exploit and maximise opportunities provided by the markets as they emerge.”
The statement said the mid-term review was a snapshot of the work that has taken place so far.
It added: “It doesn’t detract from the ambition and aspiration for the years ahead. It is also important to stress we will take on board any lessons that can be learned from it. All parties are supportive of the Riverside Inverclyde team and the very good work they have carried out over the first half of operation.”
The agency denied that chief executive Bill Nicol and implementation manager Garry Williamson, were leaving as a result of the review, saying they had been “recruited to new career opportunities”.
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