THE party is over and it will soon be time to take down the decorations and pack them away in a dusty cupboard.

The Games rolling out of town coincides with the end of city councillors' five week summer recess.

For many councillors, much of the break has been spent in a state of controlled frenzy as they prepared to host the largest sporting event ever held in Scotland. For the past two weeks, they have been seen in venues across the city and at countless evening functions meeting and greeting heads of state from the Commonwealth.

Some must have been holding their breaths hoping the frequently voiced predictions that the city would grind to a halt did not become a reality.

As it turned out, they had nothing to worry about and somehow or other the city coped brilliantly with road closures and the massive influx of visitors.

Last night's closing ceremony may have marked the end of the sporting extravaganza but the impact of the Games will continue to be a major issue for the council in the months ahead.

Councillors and officials will spend many hours reviewing how the operation worked and assessing the economic, business and tourism implications, hoping to learn lessons which will prove invaluable when bidding for other major events in the future.

However, from today the main focus returns to running the city and not running a marathon.

And councillors will be back at their desks facing a seemingly endless round of meetings. But they are also aware the city will continue to be in the world spotlight for much of the rest of this year.

Their week starts off today with the first and largest of the UK Government's services to mark the start of the First World War, part of which happened outside their windows in George Square.

In September there is the small matter of the independence referendum and later that month the Hydro will host a Ryder Cup opening concert.

Two months on and the stars will descend on the city for the MTV European Music Awards.

It will be the first time the global show, which showcases the world's hottest musical acts, will be held in Glasgow.

Glasgow is known as one of the best and most passionate sporting cities in the world.

But council leader Gordon Matheson and others hope the MTV awards will reinforce the city's reputation as one of the world's leading music cities.

Certainly, the world will again be watching the city as it steps into the spotlight. Before councillors have time to draw breath it will be the Christmas recess and the start of a whole new year.

As the council boss is fond of saying "Bring it on".