The pledge by the new administration was underlined by council leader, Councillor Jim Logue, who called on the wealth of experience in his newly-elected team to “take immediate action” to help mitigate the cost of living crisis impacting on people, families and communities across North Lanarkshire.

Some committees were amended to reflect the council’s priorities and follows the appointment of Councillor Logue as council leader and Councillor Paul Kelly as depute leader earlier this month.

Councillor Jim Logue, leader of the council, said: “The priority for this new leadership team is to move quickly and take immediate action, with our primary concern being to support people who are being hit particularly hard by the cost of living crisis.

“The impact of the spiralling costs of living isn’t something that the council can solve alone but we will accelerate our plans to provide clear, constructive support ahead of winter to help mitigate the challenges people are facing, before families and people are truly plunged into real hardship and poverty.

“This administration is determined to take action to ease the burden on our most vulnerable people who are already suffering in the most challenging of circumstances.

“The leadership team appointed today has a wealth of experience with a track record of getting things done, particularly in times of emergency. Our focus is very much to move at pace to assist people locally as well as compelling national government to take urgent action to tackle the soaring living costs that are having a detrimental impact on communities.”