Arbroath East & Lunan

The Arbroath East ward lost part of its territory and a councillor in a shake-up to the ward boundaries.

With Friockheim and Colliston now going with the Arbroath West area, the number of councillors in Arbroath East and Lunan is dropping from four to three.

With eight candidates standing in the east of the town, it makes this the most competitive council contest.

Long serving Independent councillor Bob Spink stood down from the council in September due to health reasons.

The victor in the subsequent byelection, the SNP’s Brenda Durno, is standing again, as is fellow SNP councillor Sheena Welsh.

Donald Morrison, SNP, is also standing for re-election but in the Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim ward. Conservative councillor Martyn Geddes is not seeking re-election.

The other candidates are John Ruddy, Labour; Kevin Smith, Independent; Mark Smith, Liberal Democrats; Lois Speed, Independent; Derek Wann, Conservatives; and Ian Watson, Independent.

Ladyloan and Hayshead primary schools are to be replaced under Angus Council’s Arbroath schools project.

Arbroath harbour continues to go from strength to strength with a long waiting list for pontoon berths, which are at maximum capacity.

The Signal Tower Museum continues to be one of the town’s most popular visitor facilities and recently announced the reopening of the Bell Rock lens room after several years in the shade.

The town’s harbour is going from strength to strength.