Shotts town centre revamp is a priority
Scottish Labour were the big winners as their two candidates were elected to serve people in Fortissat.
Labour’s Martin McCulloch, who topped the first preferences votes with 1477, and colleague Kenneth Stevenson along with Tory Sandy Thornton and SNP’s Tommy Cochrane will represent people in Shotts, Allanton, Harthill and Eastfield.
At the election, the number of councillors were increased from three to four as the ward for the first time included Morningside which was part of the neighbouring Murdostoun ward in the 2012 elections.
Councillor McCulloch said: “I am absolutely delighted, thrilled and humbled that there are two Labour councillors in the ward and I would like to say a massive thanks to the electorate for voting for Kenneth and myself.
“I think they can expect from us consultation on any contentious issues.
“We know what the local issues are. We carried out a residents survey and its findings will be acted on”.
Councillor Cochrane was re-elected after gaining 1016 votes but his colleague, Margaret Murphy, former chairman of Shotts Community, missed out on a place on as did former independent councillor Charlie Cefferty, from Harthill.
Now Councillor Cochrane says his number one priority is to see the regeneration of Shotts town centre following the Wishaw Press’s successful Town Status campaign almost two years ago.
Councillor Cochrane said: “I want something done about the renovation of the town centre of Shotts and something done about Harthill Main Street as it is an absolute disaster,” he added.
Sandy Thornton was elected despite not attending the count.
There were 5043 first preference votes and 139 rejected ballot papers.The quota of votes for a candidate to be elected was 1009.