Published: Tuesday, 16th March, 2010 3:18pm

The nationalist voice - Iain Robertson, Council Leader

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THIS has been a difficult week for me as leader of the council.

I have been dismayed by the coverage around the council's Best Value Progress Report and saddened when I see the impact that this coverage has had on the morale of our staff and our service users.

I am the first person to hold up my hands and accept fully that this council has to make significant changes - particularly around how elected members work together, irrespective of political divide, to ensure that we make the right decisions at the right times for West Dunbartonshire.

We must work harder and set the bar higher for West Dunbartonshire.

This includes working collectively, with residents and council employees, to make sure that everyone understands the way forward.

This will be a priority for me as council leader over the coming months.

I cannot accept comments about West Dunbartonshire that refer to 'crisis' and 'failure'.

I do not believe that this is justified or accurately reflects the day-to-day services that are provided by this council - particularly in Education, Social Work and Housing.

These main frontline services have, without exception, received positive inspections from national audit bodies that highlight quality, success and improvement.

I do not believe that recent negative comments accurately reflect the views of our service users or the views of the staff, who deliver these important services and pride themselves on a 'hard days work for a fair days pay'.

I would also like to reassure people about the council's financial situation.

West Dunbartonshire Council has a 14-year legacy of successfully delivering a balanced budget due to sound financial planning, and without compromising local services.

Only £2.2m of savings were required to close West Dunbartonshire's budget gap, one of the lowest figures in Scotland, and no frontline services were affected.

By the end of April, the council reserve is expected to increase to £2m, helping us to build and plan for the future.

It may seem strange to some that overall I believe the report from Audit Scotland to be constructive.

The issues highlighted within the report as requiring attention have already been identified by the council as priority actions and are included within the council's improvement plan.

I believe that this in itself is positive and confirms that the council has the confidence to identify what we are not getting right and to tackle this head on.

We have to view the report from Audit Scotland as a critical friend.

We cannot and will not be judged as a failing council because we are getting some things wrong.

Similarly, we would not be considered to be a great council by simply getting a few things right.

West Dunbartonshire has continued to deliver services that benefit residents in the face of diminishing budgets and increase demand.

I think we are more than able to make hard decisions, without compromising on what is fair and without compromising on debate.

We will also stand tall and answer our critics.

After all, that is democracy.

My congratulations and good wishes goes to 'The Good Life: Positive Attitudes Group' following its spectacular success in the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) Annual Awards.

The group won the prodigious Chairman's Award for its innovative project.

This group of adults with learning disabilities works to improve the lives of people like themselves.

Through various activities they challenge attitudes, influence the planning of relevant policies and offer unique training for organisations delivering public services.

This is yet another success which contributes to making West Dunbartonshire a better place.