When I took on the Resourcing Spokesperson role as temporary cover for Cllr Hagmann I knew it would include variety and challenges. As it transpired that summation was, if anything, an understatement.

The Resources Spokesperson role includes responsibility for both national finance matters impacting Local Councils and industrial relations negotiations impacting on our 260 thousand strong Local Government workforce.

In terms of workforce I had a gentle introduction through the agreement of a "re-opener clause” in the teacher’s pay negotiations. After a brief moment of getting to terms with the terminology I’m pleased to report that this was resolved in an amicable agreement with our union partners.

While pay negotiations for the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees (SJC) had been resolved in a two-year pay deal it became apparent that our union colleagues had a few more ongoing issues on their mind. In respectful and lively discussions our respective positions on matters such as first aiders and a minimum £15 an hour rate of pay were explored.

In another sphere altogether it was rewarding to take forward work with Scottish Government on ensuring that Scotland is, and remains, a nation where Fair Work is the aspiration and the norm.

While I have been the City Treasurer for Glasgow City Council for over 5 years, this year for the first time I got to experience the budget negotiations and setting at the national level. This shone a light on the importance of ensuring the value of local government services is understood not just across government but across all political parties. The timing this year was particularly challenging leaving councils in a position where they were having to consult on proposals without certainty. I am pleased though that through the process we secured additional funding for local government and are making the first steps towards council tax reform through the introduction of High Value Property Bands.

Without doubt the most complicated piece of work over the last months has been the negotiation around teacher’s reduction in class contact time. In the shadow of Scottish Parliamentary Elections, threatened strike action resulted in a tense negotiating stand-off resolved only at the last minute by Government assurances of full funding for the position to be agreed with our unions. With this assurance in place Council Leaders were able to decide on a course of action that resolved the industrial relations dispute. But I know that officers in councils and COSLA and civil servants in Scottish Government still have the challenging task of working with our union partners in delivering the negotiated agreement. I wish the best of luck to you all.

Well, those are a few of my thoughts and reflections on the role. We all go about our responsibilities in different ways according to our own strengths and skills. I wish Cllr Parry, who has taken over, as I move on to the next set of challenges, my very best wishes in taking forward this important national work.