THIS week's Councillor Column is written by James Robb, SNP councillor for Helensburgh Central.

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If you are a parent of a pupil at Hermitage Academy, I would urge you to please vote in the consultation on the school's new curriculum model for S4, S5 and S6.

This is your chance to get a better education for more children.

My family will vote for Model C (7 subjects in S4 and 5 subjects in S5 and S6) as it offers the greatest opportunity for the greatest number of pupils.

Model C delivers the same teaching hours as the current curricular model but gives greater flexibility.

Forcing 14 year olds to restrict their future educational and career opportunities by only allowing them four optional subjects in S4 can’t be right (Maths and English are compulsory).

Allowing up to seven subjects in S4 allows time for discovery and mistakes before choosing five from that seven to take to the next qualification level in S5.

Model C has been adopted by many successful schools. It is right that parents should have the opportunity to select the curricular model that would deliver the best education for their children.

The education authority must then deliver their choice.

There have been several examples of councillors working together in the last few weeks: getting the Foodbank free accommodation in Rosneath, the new pedestrian crossing on Sinclair Street at Hermitage Park, and a pelican crossing in Rosneath.

All credit those who lobbied for the new crossings - you know who you are - and the hard work of Rosneath Community Council.

Unfortunately there was also one notable example of councillors not working together in December - namely excluding West Princes Street from the economic, customer and visitor benefits of a full CHORD upgrade.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Information Commissioner has found that Argyll and Bute Council were wrong to withhold information on exam results from parents for four months.

This is not the first ruling against the council. The continuing culture of secrecy and obstruction is a real concern.

Following the unveiling of the Scottish Government's draft budget for 2017-18 by Derek Mackay, the financial settlement for Argyll and Bute is within the forecast range but we await the finer detail.

The Scottish Government publishes its draft budget months in advance to allow for full scrutiny by the opposition. In Argyll and Bute, the council leader unveils his budget during the council meeting in February, allowing no opportunity for scrutiny by the opposition.

Finally, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.