Vivien Dance, independent councillor for Helensburgh Central, writes:

A very Happy New Year to you all and I hope 2017 will be a good for you and our community.

On an upbeat note to start, thank you to all residents who have taken time to pass on their appreciation for this year’s Christmas lights which are back in storage.

This year Helensburgh was the only town in Argyll in Bute to have its festive display working, confirming the decision that community responsibility does deliver.

It would seem that residents value the impact of the Christmas lights and discussions have already commenced to secure this enhancement for many years ahead.

Thanks to all involved in this project.

On downbeat matters, next month the council must set its budget for the 2017/18 financial year. The gap between income and expenditure is widening at a frightening pace and communities will be faced with further reduction in services.

Less than 4 per cent of the population have responded to the consultation, confidence in the decisions of the council at an all time low. For example, external contractors having to be employed in December to repair over one hundred lighting faults in our area alone because no front line staff are currently employed in this role, yet the number of senior officers within the council grows and grows.

Last year’s cuts are now beginning to impact on people and I would urge everyone to remember that politicians not front line staff determine the cuts they wish to implement.

Many of our front line staff are now being verbally abused and criticised for reduction in services over which they have no control.

We all need to remember not to shoot the messenger. Our staff are out there dealing with social care, gritting roads, emptying bins and effecting repairs in dark, wintry conditions, please do give them the consideration they deserve, remember all our staff are someone’s partner, parent or relative.

And to finish on another upbeat note I gather there are many new developments for the town planned for 2017, good news from the voluntary sector.