I cannot believe that it has been five years since I was first elected as a councillor.

It has been a privilege to have served the people of Lomond North, and Argyll and Bute, and I am delighted to say that I’m looking forward to the council elections and hope to be re-elected as SNP councillor for Lomond North. It’s a constituency that I feel has huge potential, if the right investment is made. If re-elected I will strive to achieve that aim.

In my five years as a councillor, I have learned a lot and developed good working relationships with council officials, third sector organisations, and other councillors alike. I have fought to make my community a better place for everyone, supporting people in getting better outcomes for a range of issues, from health and social care, housing, education, car parking, refuse collection, adequate toilet facilities, to name a few.

I have and will continue to work with fellow councillors and officials to achieve the best outcomes possible for my ward.

Lomond North has huge potential and if re-elected and part of an administration, my focus will be improving the infrastructure, environment, supporting schools and their head teachers, and improving transport links in local communities which is badly needed.

I feel that being a rural community Lomond North has been neglected, and it is time for the serious investment our rural communities need, to enable them to flourish and prosper. We have huge potential to help improve the lives of rural constituents.

I would like to thank my SNP colleagues Richard Trail, Lorna Douglas, Jim Findlay, Anne Horne, and Sandy Taylor who will not be standing at this years election, for their help over the last five years, and who will be missed – not only by myself, but the constituents that they served so well.

I would also like to thank the members of the SNP’s Lomond North branch, many of whom I have talked with, and met over the last few weeks, and are helping to support my election campaign. I am deeply indebted to you for the help you have given me.

Importantly I would also like to thank many of you, my constituents, for all your support and encouragement.

So on May 5 I hope the people of Lomond North will again select me as their councillor. Even if you do not support the party I represent, I hope you’ll recognise my record of putting my constituents first. No matter your political persuasion I will strive to do my best for you.