Monklands residents get ready to vote

It is now just over a month away from the council elections, and this is my last column in the Advertiser before the people of Monklands cast their votes.

As such, I thought it would be helpful to reflect on my experiences during recent times, and to outline some views on the challenges facing local authorities.

Over the last few years there have been a number of elections and referendums. Indeed, it almost feels like there is one every five minutes.

However, this local election is different. It is different because this is not a vote about the constitution, Brexit or independence. Rather, it is about local services. It is about local jobs, local schools, local roads and local communities.

And that is why I believe, if you are concerned about these issues, you should vote for your local Labour candidate.

I am extremely proud of our record in North Lanarkshire. We have invested more than £60m in schools, and created the biggest council house building programme in a generation in Scotland.

Our children are achieving better educational attainments than ever before. Our Youth Investment Programme has got more than 6000 people into work, and we have secured £250m as part of the Glasgow City Region Deal.

I know from holding surgeries on a weekly basis the critical importance of ensuring that the services provided meet the realistic and increasing expectations of residents.

And I acknowledge that sometimes a particular service provided at an individual level is not delivered in a manner which is either reasonable or acceptable.

However, I have become immensely proud of the quality of services delivered on a daily basis and the positive impact this has on residents in all of our communities.

As many of you know, I became leader of North Lanarkshire Council in March 2016.

The last 12 months have been both interesting and challenging. Despite some internal issues, my focus has always been on what makes a difference in our communities.

The plans to build more new schools and houses have been accelerated.

The changing emphasis to revitalise town centres with less focus on commercial and more on residential has been developed.

The critical need to avoid hospital bed blocking by integrating health and social work has been prioritised.

The need to tackle obesity by improving play and leisure facilities has been endorsed.

The increase in modern apprenticeships has more than doubled.

North Lanarkshire has received national media coverage for being the first council in Scotland to set up a Sporting Hall of Fame. This was designed not only to highlight our legacy, but also to motivate young people to become more aspirational in their ambitions.

I have always believed that as a council we need to be less risk averse and more aspirational and ambitious.

At the election on May 4 you have a choice, and I would ask that before you make that choice you think about how this council has transformed large parts of your communities; about our investment in schools and houses; and the ambitious plans we have for the future.

If Labour is returned as the administration, I can assure you that our ambitions and aspirations will provide the best public services for North Lanarkshire residents.

I became council leader in March 2016 and the last 12 months have been both interesting and challenging