No hidden secrets by this new SNP administration

I would like to begin by welcoming you to this, my first column for the Advertiser as your council leader.

The editor has been kind enough to offer me the chance to use this space to make sure you get regular updates on the work that is done on your behalf by the administration I am proud to lead.

As you may be aware, we are a totally new administration. At May’s elections South Lanarkshire residents decided to end more than 20 years of Labour control and give the SNP a chance to effect change and refresh local confidence in democracy.

Your SNP councillors are humbled that you have given us this opportunity, and we will seek to repay your confidence by working hard to bring a new energy and openness to the work of the council.

There will be challenges. Although we are in charge, we are what is known as a minority administration. Although we are the biggest political group, with 25 SNP councillors, there is a total of 39 other elected members – 18 Labour, 14 Conservatives, five Independents and one Liberal, with one vacancy due to the by-election in Rutherglen Central and North (Ward 12).

This means we have no majority in the council or on any of its committees, so we need to rely on the support of other parties to enable our programme to succeed. However, while our manifesto is ambitious I believe it contains nothing which others should find controversial, and it is my sincere hope that all parties will put the interests of South Lanarkshire first and that political games will not prevail.

For my part, as we pursue the best possible outcomes for the people of South Lanarkshire, it is my intention to represent everyone equally, regardless of all political affiliations and none.

One of the main platforms in our manifesto was a clear commitment to openness and transparency. I know that many people feel that the council operates in secret and is not open to enough public scrutiny, and residents are not involved enough in decisionmaking. We intend to correct this, starting with a commitment to put in place a petitions committee which will allow any local resident to bring issues of concern to the council’s attention. We also want webcams installed in the council chambers and other meeting rooms to enable members of the public direct access to council and committee meetings.

We will use social media and other channels of communication to keep members of the public better informed, and we have started work on the further development of the council’s website to improve the accessibility of council committee papers, reports and information, and the promotion of public access to meetings.

As part of our manifesto commitment to “renewing democracy” we have re-joined COSLA, and we are reviewing the Code of Conduct for councillors and staff, to ensure both meet the values that you would expect from your council. We are also looking at ways to make the council’s whistle blowing policy more robust, as it is vital that staff know their jobs will be secure should they raise concerns about any potential malpractice.

I promise that we will be an outwardlooking council too, and we will spend time listening to, and working with, not just council staff, but also the Third Sector, trade unions, business leaders, community groups – including community councils – faith groups and others. Working with some of these groups and other partners we will provide the leadership and vision to strengthen and develop the Community Planning Partnership. Most importantly, we will work with local people, particularly those most affected by inequalities, to develop local neighbourhood plans which will build and empower our communities.

Our programme of work for our first term in office will target important areas that make a real difference to local lives, including poverty, housing, education, health and social care, economic growth and town centre regeneration.

We understand the many challenges that lie ahead, especially if the Westminster government continues with its austerity policies, as this affects what the Scottish Government is able to pass to local government – which ultimately impacts on the services your council can provide. Whatever decisions need to be taken in 2018/19, I will promise you that we will work differently from the last administration and seek the views of communities before decisions are taken.

Finally, as well as being hugely honoured to be elected as the first SNP Council Leader, I am also very proud to once again represent my constituents in Hamilton South (Ward 19). Although to some readers I may appear to be a new face, in fact I was the first SNP councillor elected in Hamilton and served on the then District Council from 1974 to 1980.