Over the last 30 years, Inverclyde’s population has reduced by around 20%, with a large proportion of this decrease having occurred amongst young people.  Current population projections predict that these trends will continue.  Slims Consulting is currently working with Inverclyde Council and its partners on a high-profile project to determine:

· The causes of Inverclyde’s depopulation over this period

· The scale and nature of migration flows to and from Inverclyde

· What Inverclyde Community Planning Partnership can do to stem population decline

The team has conducted extensive socio-economic analysis and carried out primary research with communities, young people and stakeholders.  We have also examined areas that have experienced similar levels of population decline, to see how they dealt with it and how they responded.  This interesting project is in its latter stages, and will report in the next two months.