Martin was born in Dumbarton, and brought up in Clydebank. He left school in 1978 and joined the Car Repair Centre, Duntocher as an apprentice panel beater, leaving in 1979 to join the Army aged 17. He spent 15 years with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, serving in Germany, Ireland, England, Belize, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. Martin returned to live in Dumbarton in 1993 before settling in Bonhill. He is married to Karen and has two sons. Since 1993 Martin has worked at Faslane Naval Base where he was a T&G shop steward for 8 years. In 2005, He graduated from the Open University with an honours degree in Social Policy. Martin has been a Labour Councillor since 2003 and served as Social Work Spokesperson for three and a half years before taking on the role of Leader of the Council in December 2006. He is currently the Leader of the Labour Group. Martin has worked hard for his Ward and has kept residents fully informed of what the council is doing through regular newsletters. He has worked with existing community groups and helped to increase community capacity by helping to set up new community groups including: Dalvait and Carrochan Older Peoples Welfare Association; Levenvale Older Peoples Welfare Association and the Vale of Leven Remembrance Day Association. Martin said: ‘‘The first duty of a councillor is to listen to the electorate and act on their concerns. I have actively campaigned to improve community safety through better street lighting, new fencing; and raising awareness of the range of council services to tackle the scourge of anti social behaviour. Being active in the Ward on a day to day basis means that residents have regular contact with their councillor and issues can be addressed at an early stage and ensure that valuable opportunities for improving the area are not missed.’’ Martin says that one of his biggest achievements was helping to deliver Labours flagship policy of schools regeneration providing new secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire including the new Vale of Leven Academy.

POLITICAL HISTORY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Labour Group Secretary 2005 – 2007

• Labour Group Minute Secretary 2003 – 2007

• Labour Group Observer 1998 – 2003

• TGWU Shop Steward at Faslane until 2003

• Member of PCS trade unions since 2005

• Social Work Spokesperson May 2003 – December 2006

• Health Improvement and Social Justice Partnership Chair 2003 – 2006

• Chair of Argyll & Bute and Dunbartonshires’ Criminal Justice Partnership 2003 – 2006

• Vice Chair of North Strathclyde Community Justice Authority 2006

• Chair of Children’s Services Committee 2004 -2005

• Chair of Social Justice Committee 2003 – 2005

• Member of CoSLA Health Improvement and Social Justice Executive Committee 2003 – 2006

• Children’s Services Committee member 2003 – 2007

• Social Justice Committee member 2003 – 2007

• Corporate Services Committee 2007 and 2009

• Appeals Committee 2006 – 2007

• Community Participation Committee 2007 – 2009

• Chair of Balloch Forum 2004 – 2007

• Member of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority Board 2004 – 2007