IN two days, Gordon Matheson will almost certainly be returned unopposed as leader of Glasgow City Council.

At his side will be Langside councillor Archie Graham, who is expected to be reappointed deputy leader.

They will head the team that will drive the city forward for the next five years and see it through the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

But first, Mr Matheson has to appoint the senior members of his group who will be responsible for areas such as roads, social work, planning, education and Glasgow Life.

A controversial clear-out of councillors because the party felt it wanted new faces means almost half of the 44-strong Labour group is new to local government.

But Mr Matheson has no doubts the council and the new faces will rise to the challenge of running Scotland's biggest city and its £2.4billion budget.

He said: "I am in a wonderful position where I can draw from a large talented Labour group.

"The new recruits are trade unionists, community activists, young mothers and PhD qualified lecturers.

"We also have a significant number of women and councillors from ethnic minority communities.

"I see the fact we have more than 20 new councillors as a renewal.

"It is hard for a political party to refresh itself in office, but that is precisely what Labour has done in Glasgow.

"My challenge is to match that talent to the jobs that need done and to use those who are best able to tackle head-on the issues the city faces.

"Some of the experienced and proven councillors will be offered high-profile posts. They will be the people who will best perform the jobs the city needs done. But I will also be looking to give the new cohort of candidates an opportunity to gain experience."

Mr Matheson refused to be drawn on who is likely to take the role of Lord Provost.

But rumours within the Labour group suggest Garscadden/Scotstounhill councillor Paul Rooney and Newlands/Auldburn councillor Stephen Curran are top contenders. Former LP Liz Cameron could also take office again.

Some political opponents suggested returning another Labour administration after 30 years of unbroken power would simply mean more of the same for Glasgow.

But Mr Matheson is adamant the party has learned from its disastrous showing at last year's Scottish Parliament elections, when it polled fewer votes than the SNP.

He said: "We will not fall back into lazy ways and know we need to earn every single vote.

"Every single one of our councillors has signed a contract with the Labour Party and will be held to account.

"The days when Labour took it for granted that Glasgow was its city are gone for ever. Any sense of entitlement is finished. We, as Labour in Glasgow, must, and will, earn the support and confidence of our constituents."

As a step towards that goal, Mr Matheson has promised to deliver every one of the 100 pledges in Labour's manifesto for the city.

He said: "I will produce an annual report on progress against those pledges showing what has been done, what is still work in progress and what is next."

Within a month, he promises to announce the membership of a new commission to look at the activities of housing/landlord factors in the city.

The council boss said: "There are some big problems out there and a lot of people are very frustrated.

"I want to tackle those issues and to bring forward solutions that fit Glasgow.

"Before the summer, I will unveil details of the mortgage deposit scheme I promised."

Under the scheme, the council will guarantee 15% of the deposit of first time home buyers, meaning they will have to find only 5%, in return attracting a lower interest rate.

Mr Matheson said: "This will help to get the construction industry off its knees and will be in place before the start of the summer holidays.

"I have also instructed officers to conduct a thorough, but quick, assessment of the condition of our primary school estate so that by autumn I will be in a position to announce the first tranche of new building or refurbishment.

"I will also be bringing forward the first of the 3500 new build homes for affordable rent on land provided by the council.

"And our promise of giving every three-year-old an extra five months of free childcare will be operational from August."

Mr Matheson also wants to talk to Deputy First Minister and Govan MSP Nicola Sturgeon to discuss areas where they can work together in the interests of Glasgow.

And he wants to arrange meetings with the leaders of the Labour controlled neighbouring councils about establishing an economic commission.

Mr Matheson said: "Myself and my Clyde Valley colleagues will be a powerful voice for west Scotland. We will not stand by and allow resources to be unfairly channelled to the east or north Scotland at the expense of Glasgow and the Clyde Valley."

ANOTHER priority for Mr Matheson and his team will be ensuring the success of the Commonwealth Games.

He said: "I will work tirelessly to ensure the 2014 Games are not only a magnificent international showcase but deliver economic, health and social benefits for Glasgow.

"The Games are of generational significance and an opportunity like this simply does not come along that often."

But as well as the big issues facing Glasgow, Mr Matheson knows he has to tackle the smaller irritations that were raised repeatedly on the doorstep.

He said: "There is no question the issues of clean streets, graffiti and dog fouling are very important.

"The administration has just recruited another 21 enforcement officers who will, bluntly, enforce decency and will warn and fine those who carelessly throw away litter or do not clean up after their dog.

"This is a new start for Glasgow and a new start for Labour in Glasgow."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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