Council poll set for May

The by-election to choose a successor to Steven Bonnar MP in his former North Lanarkshire Council ward will take place in May.

Coatbridge’s new representative at Westminster stood down from the local authority after his general election victory, in order to focus on his role at the House of Commons.

Now voters in his Thorniewood ward will go to the polls on May 7.

It will be the second by-election in that area in less than a year, after Mr Bonnar’s predecessor Hugh Gaffney resigned from the council after two years of combining the dual roles.

Mr Bonnar told the Advertiser immediately after his election:“It’s not my intention to hold two seats, because I don’t think I’d be able to fully commit to either and I want to give this role my absolute best.

“I’ll speak to the leaders of the political groups at the council, take the views of my local ward and we’ll come to a suitable time for a by-election and set a date for me to vacate my seat.”

He added:“I’m conscious that the people of Thorniewood have been to the polls more constantly than anyone in the past few years, but I believe they deserve a full-time councillor dedicated to that role.”

Returning officer Des Murray said:“It’s important that those eligible to vote in this election have the opportunity to use it by making sure they are registered.”

Mr Bonnar’s resignation means the SNP group on North Lanarkshire Council currently has 30 members, compared to 32 for the Labour administration, eight Conservatives and six independents.

By-election A vote to fill Stephen Bonnar’s former council seat will take place in May