For my last column of 2022 I would like to wish everyone in Helensburgh and Lomond a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Please stay safe and look after your loved ones in the cold winter days and nights to come.

In these hard times that are affecting us all, any help that is available to eligible Helensburgh and Lomond residents should be applied for.

Each household should already be receiving £67 credit from their energy suppliers every month through this winter to help them cope with the steep rises in the cost of gas and electricity and the raising by Ofgem of the energy price cap. This is set to rise further to a maximum of £4,279 per year for an average dual fuel household in January, though bill-payers will still be protected until the end of March 2024.

Pensioners in the area who are on low incomes can also apply for Pension Credit. If you’re eligible for Pension Credit you can also get other help such as housing benefit or Support for Mortgage Interest, a council tax discount and, in some circumstances, help with NHS costs.

Some people in Helensburgh and Lomond may also be eligible for financial help from the Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund. This offers immediate financial support and wider confidential professional help to anyone who is on a low income and has no access to cash savings.

More information, and an online application form, can be found at argyll-bute.gov.uk/forms/flexible-food-fund or by calling 01700 502784.

Here in Helensburgh, I was surprised and shocked to hear that after their takeover of McColl’s, Morrison’s have decided the McColl’s store in Churchill will be one of 10 in Scotland to be shut down. It is due to close on January 8.

The shop, as many readers will be aware, also has a Post Office and PayPoint which is much used and in many cases is a lifeline to residents.

I understand that it may be the Ministry of Defence that owns the building; if this is indeed the case, it may be possible that another user could be found to offer the same services.

Time has flown by since I was elected as a new councillor in May this year. It has been a steep learning curve with training, new board meetings to attend and no shortage of different constituent issues to try to have resolved – including the public toilets at the pier, Hermitage Park, street lighting, road and parking signs and markings and many other issues.

It has been tiring but is so worth it when you have issues resolved.