LIFE as a councillor is certainly varied, and my diary in recent weeks has attested to that in no small way.

I was absolutely delighted to see a long-term project come to fruition with the establishment of a council community hub in partnership with Cove and Kilcreggan Community Hub.

The idea came to me when I was considering the reduction of manned reception hours at the Civic Centre in Helensburgh and the problems of getting to the centre by public transport during those hours.

It occurred to me that a local council hub hosted by shops and or other premises in villages around Argyll and Bute would not only help people to access council services in their own communities but also help village shops by bringing additional footfall.

Stephen Clayton, who runs Kilcreggan Post Office and Community Hub, liked the idea and I suggested to council officers that it might be worth running a pilot scheme to see how it would work.

READ MORE: New Kilcreggan community hub to open for access to council resources

The hub opened on Tuesday this week and now offers information and advice about the council via posters and leaflets, a stock of commonly requested hard copy forms used to request services or benefits from the council and full colour print-outs of bin collection calendars.

It will signpost customers to digital services with an interactive touchscreen linked to the council website and there will also be assistance for members of the public who can’t make the journey to Helensburgh to find the correct service.

Councillor Shonny Paterson, deputy policy lead for community planning and corporate services, visited the new hub and he said: “Working with the Cove and Kilcreggan Community Hub, we want rural communities to have access to council resources they want and need.

"Based on the success of this pilot, the council will then look at the potential roll out of further hubs across rural communities.”

I have also attended the Hermitage Academy celebration of achievement and what an impressive event it was. This year’s Cramb Medal Winner and School Dux was Leila Yuen who was presented with an impressive array of awards and achieved amazing exam success, including getting 100 per cent in her Maths Higher!

READ MORE: Argyll and Bute provost pays tribute to Helensburgh's high achievers

And another highlight was the induction to the school Hall of Fame of Eilidh Gammons, multiple Highland Dancing World Champion.

I was delighted, too, to attend the most recent update session of the Save the Tower Campaign and really pleased to see them doing so well in their efforts. They can rely on my support and assistance in any way I can.

There is more – but I have run out of space. Helensburgh and Lomond is full of amazing people doing amazing things for their communities. My email address, should you wish to contact me, is: fiona.howard@argyll-bute.gov.uk and my phone number is: 07788549192.