Centre to be named in councillor’s honour
Bathgate’s Partnership Centre is to be renamed in honour of former town councillor, the late Jim Walker.
A motion raised by SNP group leader, Janet Campbell, was supported across the chamber at a meeting of the West Lothian Council last week.
Jim, who died in June, was first elected in 1974 to Bathgate Central ward of West Lothian District Council, standing for the Ratepayers Association and enjoyed a long career in local politics until 2017.
Councillor Campbell’s motion said: “Jim was one of the most “weel kent” figures in Bathgate, the area in which he was born and brought up and where he represented his constituents for over 40 years.
“Jim served on Bathgate Town Council, the old District Council and finally the new, unitary West Lothian Council.
“He was initially the ‘Ratepayers Councillor’ before joining the SNP after many years of support and membership.”
Supporting the motion, Independent councillor, Stuart Borrowman, said Jim was one of the few who had served as burgh councillors before the formation of West Lothian District. “I think we should cherish the contribution,” he added.
The motion from Councillor Campbell added: “To mark the enormous contribution Jim Walker made to the whole Bathgate community we therefore propose changing the name of Bathgate Partnership Centre to The Jim Walker Partnership Centre. We further propose this change is made with immediate effect. We have consulted with Jim’s family who are delighted with this way of recognising Jim’s long involvement in public life in Bathgate and would propose ensuring they are invited to the re-naming ceremony.”
Jim was elected to the Bathgate Procession committee in 1962, aged just 18. He was involved in many community groups and was a past chieftain of Bathgate Highland Games, president and founding member of the Newland Concert Brass Band and was president of Bathgate Thistle.