This year’s local election is an important opportunity to get the focus of the council on the priorities that matter to those of us who live here, not those dictated by the SNP at Holyrood.

The council has had to juggle an ever-decreasing amount of funding to keep services functioning. The SNP are boasting a “no-cuts’ budget” in West Dunbartonshire but, there should have been more money to improve services had the SNP Scottish Government passed on the increases received in funding from the UK Government.

At the final full council meeting before the elections my motion to require the West Dunbartonshire roads department to produce an asset management plan with the financials attached, was given full support. A Labour addendum to summarise the outstanding cost of repairs to roads was accepted.

We need a definite plan for road improvements. My motion also called for a more transparent reporting and feedback system; residents will be able to see when a fault was reported and when it will be fixed.

As the summer season approaches residents are hopeful that the preparations by the council, the police and other agencies will be enough to quell any anti-social behaviour. I believe a full-time ranger service in Balloch Park would really help.

The formation of a group of local people to take forward the Balloch Country Park Woodland Management Plan, that was given the support of full council, has met three times now.

Once constituted, the group will be able to apply for funding to put the 20-year plan into action. There are many more ideas for improvements to the park and in due course a public engagement exercise will be carried out.

The need for the rescue boat to be relocated to Balloch has been made clear by the crew. Plans have been drawn-up for a new boat shed and slipway off Pier Road.

The only stumbling block is the ownership of the land; this has been in limbo for approximately 10 years between Scottish Enterprise and the National Park. For the sake of safety on the Loch these agencies need to get their acts together and not delay the new boat shed.