North Lanarkshire finance Councillor quiet on forthcoming budget

Feb 3 2010 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

NORTH Lanarkshire Council’s finance chairman Councillor John Pentland was playing his cards close to his chest this week over the authority’s impending budget announcement.

After revealing council tax in the area is to be frozen for the third year in a row, Wishaw Press asked for a preview of what residents can expect from the council’s forthcoming budget arrangements.

However, finance convener, Wishaw Councillor John Pentland, remained tightlipped this week as to what might be expected.

He said: “The budget proposals for 2010/11 are being finalised and will be presented to a special meeting of the council on February 11.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

However, he went on to say: “A range of projects already planned and budgeted will go ahead.

“These include the Coltness High School refurbishment, part of our Schools and Centres 21 initiative, worth £26million, and Coltness Lammermoor Primary, a new-build school worth £10.4 million.

“Improvement works totalling £7.3 million are expected to begin soon.

“A number of projects have also been agreed through the Wishaw and District Local Development Programme, including £95,000 to continue the improvement works to Stane Gardens, environmental improvements to Prince Place in Newmains, Langholm Crescent in Coltness, and at a gap site on Main Street in Overtown.

“A new feature sign will be created at Waterloo Cross and there will be £20,000 to support the improvement work around Wishaw highlighted from last year’s Beautiful North Lanarkshire campaign.”

Murdouston SNP representative Councillor John Taggart is also keen that the regeneration of Wishaw town centre remains a priority.

He said: “It is of vital importance that there are no cut backs in this area and that it remains on schedule.

“I also want to see core services maintained in the town.”