THIS is my first column following the local election last month, when my colleagues and I were delighted and humbled to be elected as the biggest party, allowing us to form the first SNP City Government of Glasgow. It is a historic change in Glasgow’s politics and vote of trust in the SNP that we will do our very best to live up to.

Already we have begun to make a difference. Following the decision at the Court of Session that several thousand mainly women workers have been discriminated against by one element of the council’s pay scheme, I announced that we will honour that ruling and cease the use of legal means to prevent or delay a fair settlement for those workers. This will place a financial burden on the council, but it is the right thing to do and fulfils a key SNP manifesto commitment. Thousands of women workers suffered loss of earnings and have waited over a decade for pay justice. I have instructed council officers to begin open discussions with the representatives of staff with equal pay claims to work towards an agreed settlement.

We have made an early start to rebuild relations with other councils across the country. One of our first actions was to rejoin COSLA, Scotland’s local government body. Glasgow won’t always get things our own way but it will be how we deal with those difficult moments which will determine how others see our city.

We are also working hard on our manifesto pledges for our first 100 days in power as a City Government. We committed to hold a series of early summits, bringing together people and organisations from across the city with knowledge and experience in areas as varied as schools, culture, emergency services, transport and communities. Our first summit will be on homelessness and rough sleeping, with the aim of creating a city-wide action plan to address a problem which has been growing worse in recent months and become of increasing concern to many Glaswegians.

Our team of City Conveners, who have been in their roles for only a few weeks, are already working hard for Glasgow. Here’s just a flavour of what they’ve been up to:

- David McDonald, Depute Leader and Communities - has begun a review of the way the Council funds third sector and community-based organisations

- Anna Richardson, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction – planning for a Low Emission Zone in our city centre

- Mhairi Hunter, Health and Social Care - driving forward our improvement strategy for Govanhill

- Chris Cunningham, Education, Skills and Early Years – planning a Headteachers’ Conference, focused on reducing the attainment gap in our schools

- Feargal Dalton, Workforce – working to resolve the long-standing jannies’ dispute

- Jen Layden, Equalities and Human Rights – drafting a Citizens Charter for public consultation

- John Letford, Democratic Renewal - drawing up a more modern and transparent Council committee structure and standing orders

- Kenny McLean, Neighbourhoods, Housing & Public Realm – reviewing planning regulations to ensure maximum public benefit from new developments

- Allan Gow, City Treasurer - probably the toughest job of all, keeping track of spending and finding the resources to deliver our manifesto pledges.

The SNP made a commitment to communicate openly with the people of Glasgow about what we’re up to as your City Government and why, so we’ll report regularly on our progress, here in the Evening Times, through social media and elsewhere.

IT was with great sadness that the city sent messages of love, sympathy and solidarity to friends in Manchester and London following tragic and appalling terror attacks.

Alongside our wonderful new Lord Provost, Councillor Eva Bolander, I joined hundreds of Glaswegians who came to a vigil in George Square – bringing bringing flowers, candles and other tributes in a simple but powerful symbol of the connection between our cities.

Attacking a crowded concert, attended mainly by young women and girls, was an act of astonishing cowardice. People across the country were touched – and many affected – by the fallout from the bombing; but while we mourn for the victims, we stand shoulder to shoulder with their families against this brutality, and we will not give in to the terrorists’ aim of sowing fear and division.

The best way to stand up to them is to support and value our fellow citizens, speak out against hate and carry on going about our daily lives in this vibrant and diverse city of ours.