I am excited at the opportunity of a column this week as it’s a great way to let people know about some developments and also to give clarity on recent speculation.

There are various ambitious projects in the pipeline. We are developing of a new multi-use path between the caravan park and the main road in Rosneath, something we as a community have been pushing for some time.

The council secured funding to do the survey and design work and will be going for more funding next year to build it. We’ve also got a pelican crossing in the offing, another thing we’ve wanted for some time.

In this year’s budget we agreed a six-figure sum to develop plans for a new 3G all-weather pitch to serve Peninsula residents, following on from last year’s commitment to explore regeneration projects throughout Lomond North.

As a member of the administration I was also able to work with my colleagues to set £200,000 aside for environmental improvement projects.

This will enable communities to apply for funding to make improvements in their local area, and could be used to tackle marine litter in our sea-loch communities.

I have been actively lobbying Transport Scotland for improvements to the A83 at Arrochar.

I attended the task force meeting recently and was happy to hear that this is something they are going to explore. Again we could be looking at a commitment in six-figures.

There is work ongoing through my role as the council representative on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to get improvements to rail services from Helensburgh, in terms of timetabling, discounts and reliability.

On a more personal note, as was reported recently, in 2012 and 2013 I had fallen into arrears with my council tax.

This was all straightened out, with full payment made, but what perhaps wasn’t clear were the reasons for having fallen into arrears.

Without going into too much detail I had other things on my mind with the untimely death of my daughter and my wife’s illness, which has sadly left her disabled.

This is not an excuse, and I apologise to all of my constituents but I would hope this is something people can understand.

I was saddened at the motivation behind this historic issue being raised now.

I will keep helping local communities by working with people across the political spectrum to improve our beautiful area.