ROW AS LABOUR TAKE CONTROL
SNP accuse them of pact with Tories
A row has broken out over who has taken control of West Lothian Council.
Labour have controversially taken charge of the local authority with a minority administration as SNP leaders accuse them of forming a pact with the Tories.
Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick has been named leader, with Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan appointed as depute leader.
Conservative councillor Tom Kerr was re-appointed as provost with Councillor Dave King reappointed as depute provost.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of West Lothian Council on Thursday (May 25).
Following the meeting the newly appointed leader, Councillor Fitzpatrick, said: “I am very much looking forward to the opportunity of serving as leader of West Lothian Council – one of the best local authorities in Scotland.
“I am born and bred in West Lothian. West Lothian is my home and it is an honour and a privilege to be named council leader. I am
committed to working tirelessly to improve the lives of West Lothian’s residents and will do everything I can to protect and enhance local services.”
He added: “The services that the council provides impacts on residents of all ages and all backgrounds, but what we are most proud of is the services that protect and enhance the lives of our elderly, our young people and the most vulnerable people within our society.
“The council is in the midst of severe financial challenges which are affecting council all across the country, and those challenges will only become more acute in the years ahead.”
However the appointments were met with derision by SNP councillors with the group’s depute leader calling it “a sad day for democracy”.
Cllr Anderson said: “They (Labour) can dress it up as a minority council but they could have nominated people from day one instead of trying to get the Tories to back them.
“It’s a sad day for democracy when the largest party was excluded from council and it’s an even sadder day when the Labour Party welcome the Tories into power.”
Conservative group leader Damian Timson said: “A structure has been put in place which will serve the priorities of the people of West Lothian.
“We looked at all the politicking that was being done and we did what was best for West Lothian.”
West Lothian Council has 33 elected members representing nine wards with 13 SNP councillors, 12 Labour councillors, seven Conservatives and one Independent.
Nine councillors have been appointed with responsibility for executive posts.
These are: policy and resources – Lawrence Fitzpatrick; culture and leisure – Dave King; development and transport– Cathy Muldoon; education –David Dodds; environment – Tom Conn; health and care – John McGinty; services for the community – George Paul; social policy – Angela Doran; voluntary organisations – Kirsteen Sullivan.