Councillors Francesca Brennan and Elizabeth Robertson were unanimously voted in as the local authority’s representatives on the Greenock Town Board.

The board is being established to bring together key local and national stakeholders to develop long term improvement plans for central Greenock and decide how best to utilise £20m from the UK Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns Fund.

Greenock is one of seven Scottish locations selected for funding, which aims to regenerate town centres and address issues such as deprivation and anti-social behaviour.

The money is on top of another £20m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund which is part of a £22m redevelopment of the town centre and in addition to the £3.2m West Blackhall Street regeneration project which is currently ongoing.

Councillor Brennan said: “It’s an honour to join the Greenock Town Board and help shape the future of the town centre alongside other local representatives.

“These are exciting times for Central Greenock with over £45m of investment underway and in the pipeline, in addition to the magnificent new Greenock Ocean Terminal visitor centre and community facility which opened last year.

“I’m pleased to have the support of my fellow councillors to represent the council alongside Cllr Robertson and help deliver more positive change for Greenock.”

Councillor Robertson said: “The town board will bring together key local stakeholders to help identify the needs of Greenock Town Centre and work in partnership to develop a long term plan to tackle the issues the area faces and bring about meaningful change.

“This will build on the great work that has already taken place and projects that are coming down the line very soon.

“I look forward to representing the council on this board along with Cllr Brennan and developing plans to utilise this significant funding to the fullest extent possible for the benefit of the town centre, Greenock, and Inverclyde.”

A chairperson who is independent of the council and is from either the local community or the world of business will be appointed in due course to head up the new town board.

Other board members will also be appointed.

The new town board will be tasked with developing a 10-year plan to regenerate Central Greenock and decide how best to spend the £20m of funding.

Councillors Brennan and Robertson were appointed to the town board at a recent full council meeting.