JACK THOMSON

Provost reflects on last five years ahead of election

Renfrewshire’s Provost reflected on the “worst health crisis” there has ever been as she paid tribute to retiring councillors and those standing for re-election ahead of next week’s poll.

Lorraine Cameron shared her well wishes with fellow candidates and those stepping down at the final full council meeting before the election on Thursday.

The Provost, who is standing in

Paisley Southwest, highlighted the coronavirus pandemic as a defining period of the most recent term and said it has “shone a light” on the work councillors have done in their communities.

She said: “I want to wish you all the very best of luck.

“Some of you are leaving, some I’ve known for a very long time, others I consider new friends that have only been here for the last five years, but I think your time in the council will be really marked by having come through the worst health crisis that there ever has been and the effect that has had on the council.

“I think it’s shone a light on what a good job that you all do for your constituents and I’m very grateful to you and I’m sure your communities are too.

“I don’t even know if everyone standing for election will be back here in May, but whatever you go on to do I wish you all the very best of luck.

“I want to thank you all for your support and your contributions at our full council meetings.

“I think it’s shown members of the public just how well-behaved most of us can be and how we can work in co-operation with each other.”

Provost Cameron also took the opportunity to applaud the work of council officers for their response to the pandemic and their adaptability in the face of the crisis.

She added: “Thank you to all the staff, especially during covid, because we were all thrown into a situation that none of us had any idea how to deal with and they had to think on their feet and think fast.

“All the officers have done a great job.

“I want to thank all of them - all of the directors, the heads of service, every member of staff - thank you so much for supporting all of us in the last five years.”

We were thrown into a situation that none of us had any idea how to deal with Lorraine Cameron