THE past week has shown the power of people and what can happen when ordinary Glaswegians stand up in the face of injustice and fight for the services which mean so much, to so many.

I want to thank every third sector organisation, every service user and every concerned constituent who has been in contact with me.

Not only to raise their concerns about the Communities Fund recommendations, but to share their often very personal stories about what these projects mean to them and the impact if these organisations were forced to fold.

It was due to their hard work, and working with opposition parties like Labour, that we saw the SNP minority administration make an almighty change of heart.

Thanks to their pressure we have been able to secure which a £4million transition fund for two and a half years.

Labour’s amendment opened up the fund to any former IGF funded project which had been rejected for funding and crucially secured an independent review into the shambolic process to ensure it never happens again.

My colleague Councillor Martin Rhodes had been warning the administration about the major issues regarding the Communities Fund for years, even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The distress and uncertainty which we have seen over the past two weeks could have been avoided. But, unfortunately the SNP turned a deaf ear.

While we have been successful in forcing a £4m transition fund – there are still many questions to be answered that can only be answered by the administration.

We set out its purpose: to provide clarity and certainty to a sector much in need and upon which we rely. The SNP will now have to deliver a proposal that is true to that purpose.

Today, at our Full Council meeting, Glasgow Labour Councillors will continue with our show of thanks to those who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic to provide vital services across our city.

At the beginning of lockdown, we all became familiar with the term key worker. Meanwhile, frontline staff from across the Council and its ALEOs, the public sector and our third sector partners stepped up to continue delivering the essential tasks and services that kept our city going.

For weeks we stepped outside along with our neighbours to show our appreciation through applause.

But that isn’t enough, we need to match our gratitude with action for those we owe so much to.

Last month, I joined GMB members outside the City Chambers to do just that. I listened to the key workers who told their stories of lockdown and their very reasonable demands to the Scottish Government.

They are the people who make our city. In times of trouble, we have looked to them.

We owe them so much, and the very least we can do is make sure that they don’t have to lie awake at night worrying about making ends meet.

After the applause has stopped, it’s time to put our words into action.”