After over 18 months we have finally moved out of level zero – though some of us are still not sure what that meant – and things are slowly and nervously getting back to some sort of normality.

This is of course great news for our hospitality sector, who took the full financial brunt of the constant lockdowns, maybe just maybe, we can at last have the type of Christmas and new year celebrations we used to have.

I make no apologies once again thanking all our key workers, council staff, NHS workers, carers and support workers, all of whom worked tirelessly throughout the most devastating and dangerous pandemic most of us can remember.

I want to also say a huge thank you to all our shop workers, who in many ways were more at risk than most.

I had a motion passed in council before recess calling for memorials to be placed across the authority.

This was passed with full support, and I was extremely grateful for my fellow councillors’ support and comments during debate.

It is crucial that we have memorials where people who have lost loved ones can go and reflect – not just on those lost to Covid, but all who passed without the proper dignified farewells they deserved.

They should also serve as a constant reminder of the dark months we endured.

These memorials will be driven by the people of West Dunbartonshire – it is they who will have the biggest say in design and placement.

I have already had many mails and comments of support from residents and businesses, and I urge everyone to voice their views when discussions open.

The power companies have recently announced inflation busting price hikes for customers.

These will see more and more suffering fuel poverty, more hard-working families having to decide to eat or heat, more working families depending on food banks.

Power companies are making huge profits by creating poverty. Scottish Power’s net profit in 2020 was an estimated £585.3 million.

When you look at fuel poverty and try to understand why it exists, look no further than the power companies, who make huge profits yet still increase charges at inflation-bursting rates.

Try asking your MP and MSP why governments allow this obscene profiteering to continue.