WHAT is that I hear? Oh, it’s just the laughs and excitement for the summer holiday’s starting from the young people or is it the teachers?

I wish everyone a happy and hopefully dry summer break. I am pleased that for another year we will fund the SHINE programme, I know how difficult and expensive it can be to keep young people entertained over the summer holidays. There are 29 local organisations across the local authority that families can access a wide range of activities.

There are also activities tailored to families of children with additional support needs too.

We have just had a by-election in my ward Clydebank Central, and I am proud to welcome newly elected Labour Councillor Fiona Hennebry, Fiona will be an excellent councillor and I am looking forward to working with her.

But the election excitement doesn’t stop there, and I am hoping by the time you read this, the UK should be celebrating having a new Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and a whole new Labour Government who hopefully have just booted the Tories out!

But hopefully the real excitement is for us here in West Dunbartonshire and that we have just elected our new Labour MP Douglas McAllister.

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As your councillor I have been busy visiting the women from Moments of Freedom during Refugee Week. It’s always such a lovely welcome when I visit, it’s a privilege to hear them share their stories with me. I also popped into the newly opened Dalmuir Library, which is now situated in the Dalmuir Community Centre. It’s looking amazing, so spacious, bright, and accessible.

We have also celebrated Carers Week where there were various events on including the annual Carer’s Coffee morning that the Carer’s Centre organise, it was a great opportunity to meet and speak with other unpaid carers.

I was invited down the Concord Centre to see the Dumbarton Castle Society Schools History Extravaganza, it was great to see all the hard work local primary schools done.

On Saturday, June 22 it was the 40th anniversary of the Clydebank Indoor Markets, I remember my mum taking me to the markets when I was a child, and I’ve took my own girls over the years. It was great to be there on the day and speak with local small businesses who are doing their best to thrive. The next time you are in the centre pop into the markets and give them some support.

I have also been dealing with personal issues as my disabled daughter has just come through major spine surgery, I am relived to say she is through the worst and is now recovering at home.