WHILE most of us enjoy a couple of days off work over Christmas, Glasgow councillors award themselves a full month.

The last meeting in the City Chambers was on December 12 and they will not grace a committee room again until Tuesday, January 14.

A number of senior councillors, including Lord Provost Sadie Docherty, council leader Gordon Matheson and his deputy Archie Graham, will spend much of the festive seasons at their desks.But the majority will see little of the council headquarters insisting they will instead work in their communities.

However, Councillors Docherty, Matheson and Graham are the ones who will have to build their strength up if they are to survive what promises to be an exceptionally busy 2014 for the council.

Although the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony is not until July 23, months of meticulous planning will have to be put in place to ensure Glasgow does not grind to a halt.

In the lead up to and during the sporting event, Mrs Docherty, Mr Matheson and Mr Graham - who is the council's spokesman for the Commonwealth Games - are likely to be busy as the public faces of the city.

They will find themselves in demand by a posse of journalists from around the world keen to find out what makes the powerhouse of Scotland tick.

The Lord Provost for one is hoping they and the rest of the world will learn that People Make Glasgow

She says in her Christmas message to the city: "One of the privileges of being Lord Provost is that, as first citizen, I have the opportunity to meeting and greeting people from all corners of the world on behalf of the citizens of Glasgow.

"And I have to say the overwhelming reaction I receive from people I meet is that they love Glasgow and its people.

"I feel that too. The people of Glasgow are truly unique and I have never been more proud to be a Glaswegian.

"There is also great pride in how our city responded to the tragic incident at the Clutha Vaults on Friday, November 29.

"What happened that night has ignited a renewed belief in the courage and compassion of our fellow citizens, who pulled together in sympathy for the families and friends of those affected by the tragedy.

"Glasgow has never lacked heart, spirit or determination.

"As we celebrate Christmas and bring in a New Year, I hope everyone in Glasgow will continue to share our renewed sense of community spirit and togetherness and join us on the journey that is Glasgow 2014."

Whatever the highs and lows the council faces in the next 12 months, one thing is certain - the city and its people have never had a better chance to shine.

Lets hope 2014 is a year we will all remember for the right reasons.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk