At the last meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council my elected colleagues agreed a motion I put forward to support the 70/30 Campaign.

This makes West Dunbartonshire the first local authority in Scotland to agree to work together with the Wave Trust 70/30 Campaign to reduce child abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by at least 70 per cent by the year 2030.

I’m pleased to say that my motion was passed unanimously, and it now supports our council taking an important step that will ultimately improve the lives of, and outcomes for, countless young people affected by ACEs.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this partnership grows and develops to build on the excellent foundations we already have within the council in this area, and I will continue to offer my support where I practically can.

This Saturday, September 11, will see a return of the Doors Open Day event across West Dunbartonshire.

Although it will be at a much smaller scale than in past years, while Covid-19 remains so prevalent in our area, it remains an initiative well worth supporting if you can.

Venues like the historic Strathleven House, the Vale Masonic Hall and the Denny Tank Museum will be free to access.

There are also heritage and history walks along the River Leven and at Levengrove Park with spaces available to join.

More information on the Doors Open Day and on the heritage and history walks can be foundat doorsopendays.org.uk.

If you do decide to go along to any of these events, and happen to see me there, please feel free to pop over and say hello.

Speaking of open doors, the council’s new, floodlit, all-weather public tennis courts in Argyll Park in Alexandria, completed earlier this summer, were officially opened recently with a guest star appearance by Wimbledon star Jonny O’Mara.

The courts are free for residents to use between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, and can be booked online via the ClubSpark website, managed by the Lawn Tennis Association.

Finally, I hope everyone stays safe out there.

I had my second vaccination in the Vale Community Education Centre a couple of weeks ago, and recommend that everyone who is eligible should take up the offer of the vaccine.

Particularly I ask this of our younger citizens to help protect themselves, their families, and their classmates or work colleagues as well as the wider community they live in.