The council’s message on coronavirus is very simple: follow the advice from Public Health Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Take simple steps to help slow the spread by regularly washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Current advice is to stay home for seven days if you have a new cough or a high temperature, and to only call 111 for advice if your condition worsens, you develop breathing difficulties, or if your symptoms do not improve after seven days. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

The council and other public bodies are following government advice to the letter and we have plans and resources in place, ready for future developments.

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If we can stay calm, use common sense and trust in each other and the authorities who serve us, our communities will weather this storm.

In happier news, for an unprecedented second year running, the council has approved a no cuts budget from the SNP. My whole team, but especially Councillor Ian Dickson, have worked hard to bring it together, and having met with the new finance secretary on the eve of her official appointment, I was pleased that she was able to find the money to provide the resources we needed in West Dunbartonshire to present and agree such a positive budget.

We are delivering free school meals for every primary school child; targeting funding to improving roads and pavements in our residential areas; providing funding for welfare advice services at the Independent Resource Centre; funding of an extra qualified professional at CARA to boost their domestic abuse support services; funding for measures to respond to the climate emergency; and so much more.