20 YEARS AGO

Long-serving East Kilbride councillor Alan Dick received an early birthday present when he was sworn in as Provost for South Lanarkshire Council in an historic ceremony. The 54-year-old admitted the ambassadorial role was the icing on the cake following a long career in local government spanning 20 years.

A national hunt was launched to fill the top spot in South Lanarkshire Council. Alistair McNish was to leave the role of chief executive leaving a black hole at the top of the council tree. New executive director, Alan Cuthbertson, wanted the £96,687 -a -year post filled as quickly as possible.

Fears that Hairmyres Hospital were to cut the number of staff and beds in a medical ward was tackled head-on by the health board. There was concern that eight beds in medical ward 5b were set to be slashed. And there was also concerns expressed that bank nurses employed to cover gaps were to be laid off.