The Dorset Echo has started a brand new weekly column, giving councillors the opportunity to talk about the issues they care about and what's great in their community. Here is a contribution from Cllr Ian Bruce who represents the Preston ward.

My wife Hazel and I have been SKIing (Spending the Kids Inheritance). However exotic our holiday destination, on our return the first view of Weymouth Bay from White Horse Hill reminds us there is no place like home.

I have a habit of wearing T-Shirts which identify I am from Weymouth and invariably people I meet come up to me and tell me what a wonderful place we live in and share their happy memories of their last visit to Dorset.

Sadly we who live here are often not so complimentary about our town and I am reminded as Robert Burns said:

“Oh would some power the giftie gie us, To see ourselves as other see us.”

So, Weymouth be proud but not complacent about ourselves.

What of the future? More homes not just affordable but of all types. More jobs that are either not seasonal or fill up the out of season months. Complete our road network starting with the Jurassic Coast Highway. Build on the fantastic growth of Cruise liner visits. Make Weymouth harbour the preferred port for Leisure craft, Sea Angling Boats, the Fishing industry and sail training. Weymouth is at the forefront of sport for all and we can all use our wonderful natural environment, beach and public parks to look after our own health.

Councils and Councillors are only a very small part of the picture for boosting opportunities. I am always amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit we have in our area and with our lifestyle advantages we truly can have it all.

We can also be justly proud of the way our community reaches out to help those most disadvantaged although we could probably do more for the “Just About Managing”. We should always be thinking about the leg up as well as the hand out.

The new Councils are suggesting they can manage with hundreds less staff. I for one believe the private sector should be ready to expand and offer new opportunities for the excellent staff that will sadly be leaving the Councils. Happy New Year.

Are you a councillor? If you would like to contribute, email your column to newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

We have also started a 'Prime Minister for a day' column, where our readers tell us what they would do if they were running the country. To contribute to this, email newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk

Please keep any contributions to 320-350 words.