New faces set to take on key roles

The new leader of South Lanarkshire – along with depute leader – were among the positions filled at last Thursday’s first full meeting of the new council administration.

With the SNP group the single biggest party, and taking control of the new administration, their candidates won through with a number of first-time councillors taking top spots.

This was despite the Tories putting forward candidates for the roles but Labour, Liberal Democrat Robert Brown and the independents failed to back them.

Councillor Ian McAllan (Clydesdale East) was installed as provost with 25 votes and said:“I am extremely pleased and honoured to be given this role and I pledge to work tirelessly on the behalf of the people of South Lanarkshire.

“Despite the many changes, I call on everyone here to work together to take forward the agenda for the good of the people of South Lanarkshire.”

First-time East Kilbride Central South councillor Collette Stevenson became depute provost.

Hamilton South councillor John Ross was voted in as leader and Maureen Chalmers, who is a representative of the Blantyre ward, becomes depute leader.

Councillor Ross said:“It is both a pleasure and a huge honour to become the first SNP leader of South Lanarkshire Council.

“It is my intention to govern for everyone in South Lanarkshire, no matter if they voted for the SNP or not. I will seek to find compromise with other RoleCollette elected members across our county and govern with openness and transparency.”

There were also plum roles for long-standing East Kilbride councillors.

East Kilbride West councillor David Watson is chair of the town’s area committee and – pending board approval – is also a member on South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture.

And he admitted it was a big year for the new town.

He told the News:“I have been a councillor for 25 years and I am pleased to be chairing the committee for my home town.

“This is an exciting time for East Kilbride, with the 70th Anniversary, and I hope the committee can work towards promoting the town and all of its activities.”

Meanwhile, East Kilbride Central South councillor John Anderson is chair of community and enterprise and East Kilbride East’s Gladys Miller is chair of finance and corporate.

Avondale and Stonehouse councillor Isobel Dorman is on the Lanarkshire joint valuation board – again pending approval – as is first-timer Geri Gray, who was elected to represent the SNP in East Kilbride South.

Depute posts also went to Isobel Dorman in community and enterprise, the planning committee and the planning review body.

East Kilbride South councillor Archie Buchanan is deputy chair of housing and technical resources and the East Kilbride area committee. Councillor Stevenson is also depute chair of finance and corporate along with councillor Graeme Horne (Hamilton West and

Earnock). David Watson Archie Buchanan