July is the month when the council goes into recess and no formal meetings are held.

As this also coincides with holiday season it’s normally a quiet month generally but this year has been much busier than usual.

During July I attended events as diverse as the Glasgow School of Art graduates art show at Victoria Halls; the unveiling of the memorial to RAF Helensburgh in Kidston Park; and the special tree planting arranged to celebrate Helensburgh’s street trees becoming part of the National Tree Collections of Scotland.

All of these events happened due to the drive and determination of local people, working together to draw attention to Helensburgh’s history and highlighting the town’s bright future.

Many thanks to the Heritage Trust, Tree Conservation Trust and community council for these specific events but also to the many other groups who make sure that there is always something going on in the town.

One of the most important events I attended at the start of July though was the public meeting held at Helensburgh Parish Church regarding the potential changes to the GP out-of-hours service at the Vale of Leven.

To see more than 400 people in attendance during the first week of the school holidays is an indication of just how strong local views are on this matter.

Following that meeting I wrote to the cabinet secretary for health and have just recently received a response.

This response doesn’t provide the assurances I think all local people want to see about continued services at the Vale so I will continue to pursue this issue.

Local GPs have made it clear that it is clinically unacceptable for future provision to be based in Paisley or Glasgow.

And of course the strength of local feeling isn’t just about local provision of the out-of-hours service, it’s about ensuring the long-term viability of the Vale of Leven hospital.

So many services have been cut or altered or temporarily suspended that local people have lost faith in the Scottish Government really delivering on the Vision for the Vale.

What is needed now is for a clear, straightforward answer to be given – local people want assurances that their needs will continue to be met appropriately and locally.

It’s really not too much to ask.