It is an honour to steer your council as the leader of this local authority

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 many people feel the council operates in secret and is not open to enough public scrutiny, and that residents are not involved enough in decision-making.

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 web cams 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 committee papers, reports and information, and the promotion of public access to meetings.

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 whistleblowing policy more robust.

I promise that we will be an outward-looking 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.

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 local communities before decisions are taken.