This is a big year for politicians and for the public. Scottish Parliament elections in May have the added dimension of new responsibilities for whichever party or parties form a government.

Assuming agreement can be reached between the UK and Scottish governments on the fiscal framework to accompany the Scotland Bill, then new tax, borrowing and welfare powers will come to the Scottish Parliament. If that imposes onerous obligations on politicians, it is of huge importance to the public.

How these powers are used will impact on all of us. A Scottish government opting for high public expenditure may please some but if Scottish taxpayers have to lift the tab, will displease others. The Scotland Bill means that the days of blaming others for not enough money are numbered. The buck will stop with the Scottish government. That is a positive development, voters are entitled to that clarity even if some politicians will feel uneasy about that new responsibility.

If the current discussions between the two governments cannot reach agreement, we lurch into an unwelcome void.

The other reason I want the new powers is to encourage reflection on how we deliver public services – an overdue debate. Across parties you will find a consensus about devolution meaning not just more powers for the Scottish Parliament but more powers for local communities.

If we value local councils, and I do, how do we empower them, how do we fund them and/or how do we give them more powers to generate funds for themselves and their communities? How do we empower major players in our communities? These discussions have largely lain dormant since 1999 but the new powers will spark them into life.

Our biggest public service is the NHS. We know that Scotland can expect our proportion of older people to increase with very particular needs then having to be met by health and care services.

Less clear is what the Scottish Government is doing to ascertain if we are finding personnel to meet that need. Again we need a debate.

So I end as I began, a big year for politicians and for the public.