New leader

Published 8 Jun 2010 09:30

YOU are probably fed up hearing politicians talk about the challenging times ahead, but the fallout from the recession and outrageous national debt is having an effect.

My priority is protection of front line services and jobs.

At May's full council meeting, we tried to approve public consultation on an option with projected savings of more than £1m in staff and property costs by changing the way we deliver Early Education services.

The proposals would have had no adverse effect on services and no compulsory redundancies.

The consultation was stopped by Labour, the SSP and some Independents.

If councillors are not willing to even gauge public opinion, we will be unable to protect vital services.

That is not acceptable to me either as an elected representative of the people or as a member of the community.

Contrary to Labour's comments in last week's press, there is no split within the SNP group.

I was elected group leader unanimously at our AGM, and at council all nine SNP councillors voted for me to be council leader.

Indeed, the group voted together on every agenda item.

Bizarrely, rather than propose councillor Martin Rooney for leader of the council, Labour said it did not have the capacity within its group to take over from the SNP.

Labour instead moved that all SNP councillors should resign, hoping Labour could add some talent to their ranks.

Labour has also since announced the sacking of councillor Geoff Calvert as shadow Housing spokesperson.

He is now a backbencher with no portfolio.

The council has come far with SNP in charge, but the administration realises that we must do more to change the culture and the perception that the council is 'officer led'.

That is why the group decided to change the leader and a number of key positions within the administration.

We have so many positives to talk about with excellent Social Work, Education and Housing inspection reports, and our schools are consistently praised for their good practice.

But we must speed up the process of improvement, and prove to you and Audit Scotland that we have the quality, capacity and willingness to respond to criticisms.

We have good people throughout the council and I am confident that we can deliver the improvement expected of us.

I WAS pleased to see that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has confirmed its commitment to a new Alexandria Health Centre.

This is a major component of the Vision for the Vale and I would like to thank Jackie Baillie MSP for supporting me in pushing for this positive outcome.

One aspect of NHS services I am concerned about is the item featured in last week's Reporter (1/6/2010) with regards to patient transport.

I have written to both the health board and the cabinet secretary for Health and Wellbeing on this issue.

As services are reconfigured, it is paramount that commitments given many years ago with regards to patient transport are delivered.

In closing, I would like to say that I look forward to serving the communities of West Dunbartonshire in my new role. I hope I can serve you well.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 08 Jun 10

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