We are doing our best, says the council administration in response to every laser-like question.

Better still, the standard “automated” response is “it’s Westminster’s fault” when responding to questions about their inadequacies in relation to local service delivery.

Such is the depth of argument within the City Chambers that the city cabinet, as they call themselves, hide behind lazy political rhetoric to evade scrutiny. It was on full display at the first full council meeting held after recess where there was no repenting from old ways – smart politics, they would argue, but Glasgow suffers.

Over the summer period, councillors were inundated with a high volume of enquiries about missed bin collections, with constituents not understanding why recent council tax increases have not translated to better service provision.

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The administration did not appear to have any grip on the situation. A councillor at full council even “denied” this was a problem and there was no apology to the people of Glasgow.

This, most basic, public service affects constituents in a personal way that the council appears not to understand. For a lot of constituents, the sight of full bins left lying for weeks is not only an eye sore but a matter of shame for the city as a whole.

In all this, there is at least something to be proud of: Glasgow is hosting the 26th UN Climate Change conference next year. This is a great success for the city and the UK and, if the SNP minority council administration will listen, this presents an opportunity to look at legacy structures within the council and come up with real solutions that will solve the bin uplift problem.

They will have the support of the public. I say this because, no doubt, the city will be in immaculate condition for the world to see – but will this continue post-conference?