2015 has been another busy year, I am sure you will agree, with ups and downs like any other.  While things at council level constantly change with new faces, policies and procedures; the concerns raised by you as residents, on a wide variety of issues, remain top priority for councillors. An important part of our role is supporting volunteers and local groups and that is something I look forward to continuing in 2016. The next year is going to be a challenging one as more oil-related jobs go in the North East. Public and private sectors will need to work together to find solutions by diversifying skills, working with academia and promoting our tourist industries.  The council budget itself will be challenging with big decisions having to be made on which services we retain, which ones we provide differently and which ones we look to others to provide. I hope that all political parties will find consensus on council tax reform over the following months. We need to agree on a more progressive system which is fairer to all and one which makes local authorities more accountable to you.

On a personal level, my New Year resolutions include getting outdoors more, working smarter and sleeping more. Whatever yours are, I wish you a year full of hope and good health.

Special good wishes go to all those affected by the recent floods and all those who are helping rebuild the lives of those affected.