NEW efforts to reverse the depopulation of Inverclyde have been supported by councillors.

At a meeting this week they endorsed an action plan proposed by the local Community Planning Partnership, the Inverclyde Alliance, based on the key findings of an independent study.

The Problem

Depopulation in Inverclyde has been taking place for the last 60 years and at the fastest rate of any mainland UK local authority area.

Inverclyde's Policy and Resources Convener Councillor Stephen McCabe said: "That is not a record to be proud of and it is something we have been trying to address for some time. While the rate of depopulation has slowed, Inverclyde’s population is still forecast to fall below 70,000 by 2025."

The study found that population decline in Inverclyde has been “highly selective”. Two age-groups in particular have decreased at a greater level between 1981 and 2009. The number of people under 24 years old fell by 42 per cent (the average for Scotland was a 22 per cent decrease). The working age population fell by 18 per cent in the same period (the average for Scotland was five per cent).

Those most at risk of leaving are thought to be young people looking for work or higher education and young families looking for better career prospects and good family housing. The main reason for the population fall has been the area’s economic decline leading to fewer jobs resulting in deprivation, a poor image of the area’s prospects and housing problems.

More people moving out of Inverclyde than coming to live here has accounted for about 70 per cent of depopulation each year. The rest has been because more people are dying than are being born.

However, the study found that, in recent years, almost as many people have arrived in Inverclyde as have left. Data from NHS GP records between 2001 and 2009 (which capture some but not all data on migration) suggest that, in an average year, 2,000 people leave and around 1,730 people arrive -- a difference of 270 although, taking other factors into account, it is estimated the net loss of people is 340 per year. A depopulation strategy would need to attract or retain 150 households to stem the migration flow.

What The Councillors Said

Jim Clocherty highlighted Inverclyde’s potential for attracting Glasgow commuters. “I can leave my work in the city centre of Glasgow at 5.20pm and be home by 6pm. We have fantastic rail and bus links.” He added: “We have got to think seriously about advertising Inverclyde as Scotland’s best kept secret.”

Alan Blair raised the issue of people who work in Inverclyde but choose not to live in the area. He gave examples of council staff, teachers and health workers. He added: “Of course it’s a free country but it doesn’t represent a good advert for the area when we are trying to encourage people to live here.”

Jim McLeod felt that instead of worrying about an aging population, the area could try and attract pensioners as part of its strategy: “Some places, particularly on the south coast of England, encourage an older population. We have very good services that could attract older people as well.”

Robert Moran said: “We should be promoting this community further afield. What do we do to sell Inverclyde?” He told how he had met a young couple from Glasgow recently who had been looking to move, did research on schools and, as a result, re-located to Inverclyde. He said: “It’s a fantastic story.”

Stephen McCabe said: “We have to address this. It has to be a part of everything we do. Services will not be sustainable if the population continues to fall. Turning this around will be a challenge but we are well placed to achieve our aim and deliver an Inverclyde that is a great place to live, work and bring up a family.”

Possible Solutions

The Inverclyde Alliance Action Plan will take forward the recommendations of the study and begin tackling the various issues raised. It is a targeted approach deploying specific policies to target specific groups to move on from stabilising the population to encouraging repopulation.

The plans include improving existing evidence on migration, identifying an appropriate economic role for Inverclyde, connecting local people with jobs, developing a housing growth strategy and improving the quality of life on offer in Inverclyde.

Councillor McCabe added: "The best way to encourage repopulation is to make Inverclyde better for our communities and to attract new people to live here. We have made huge improvements over recent years investing tens of millions of pounds in new and refurbished schools, leisure facilities and other capital projects. Combined with our location and stunning natural heritage Inverclyde has a lot to offer. By working together and being focused on our goals we can achieve a great deal.”

Possible measures include:

-- A website in conjunction with the private sector, particularly estate agents, to encourage relocation to Inverclyde giving information on assistance and support available.

-- Developing a “quality of life” package that sets out key messages about Inverclyde and a consistent set of information about all aspects of community life

-- Working with private developers and social landlords to look at options for giving people incentives to move to Inverclyde
Getting better information about potential movers to Inverclyde so that targeted marketing campaigns can be developed.

The report states: “The area has some significant strengths on which to build including an excellent natural environment, superb schools and good connections to the wider city region.

“However there is some evidence that these strengths are not always appreciated by local people, nor clearly understood by people from outwith the area. Focussing on and communicating these strengths could be a key element of any repopulation strategy.”