I HOPE that everyone had a brilliant Christmas and New Year. Mine was spent surrounded by family and friends watching Des Clarke on BBC One and desperately wishing that Jackie Bird was in the wings ready to take over.

Last year was a tumultuous year not just for Scotland but for our city. It was also a year filled with many personal highlights, such as the debate we held in October on mental health. This debate proved that our city councillors could put aside their political differences for the greater good of Glaswegians.

Not only was I able to share my experiences but there were many superb and heartfelt stories from across the chamber. This has really pushed forward change and action with the creation of the mental health working group.

However, this year also saw our “City Government” fail in numerous areas. Firstly, the abhorrent waste of taxpayers money on shoes, hosiery and expensive haircuts by our former SNP Lord Provost. It was only right that she was forced to go as she had tarnished the reputation of the role and of the city.

Secondly, what should be a bread and butter issue for our council – bin collection. Over the Christmas period I was inundated with emails and calls from constituents who were sick and tired of the rubbish piling up on their streets. The Glasgow Conservatives met with the cleansing staff who told us of the serious lack of resources and personnel which is causing this issue. Rather than attempt to resolve it, the SNP has only further exacerbated this issue with the inclusion of three-weekly bin collections. A decision that our group strongly opposed for this very reason.

Thirdly, the SNP car park tax, or the “Workplace Parking Levy”. This disastrous policy will hit hard-working people with a £500 bill, every year, just for parking at work. It was unfortunate to see Glasgow Labour support this enthusiastically despite concerns raised by their own MSP James Kelly in Holyrood. I am not deaf to the need to lower carbon emissions but a policy which pushes financial hardship upon many who simply cannot rely on public transport is unacceptable and ill thought-out.

Finally, the avoidable deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. The NHS in Glasgow does incredible work but the complete mismanagement and lack of resources by the Scottish Government has led to three children passing away from preventable diseases. In any other time Jeane Freeman, the Scottish Health Secretary, would have resigned in disgrace.

My advice would be that the SNP should focus their attention on these devolved areas that they have full control over rather than whittling on about the constitution.

So, 2020 presents an opportunity for our councillors to emulate the sensible debate we had on mental health and apply this to other matters important to Glaswegians. It is also an opportunity for the SNP, both in Holyrood and in the City Chambers, to learn from their mistakes and listen to critics. With that said, I hope everyone reading has a fantastic year ahead.