Provost refutes claims of free trip to Texas

Claims that the Provost of West Lothian was to take part in a twinning exchange visit to Texas later this year at the taxpayers expense have been dismissed by the provost - who insisted she had never planned to join the trip.

Councillor Cathy Muldoon said that she had“already decided”that she would not visit the US in September before the invite was brought before a meeting of the council’s Executive recently.

And a council spokesperson confirmed there would be“no cost”to the council as it issued a clarification in response to suggestions made on social media that Provost Muldoon would be travelling as part of the exchange visit, at public expense.

The claim had attracted hostile public comments.

The Executive agreed without debate to the invitation from Grapevine, Texas to visit later this year.

West Lothian signed a formal twinning agreement with Grapevine in June 2008 and formed the West Lothian Grapevine

Twinning Association in order to support and develop the twinning link.

The September visit is paid for through Twinning Association fund-raising, and costs are also covered by the host city.

A report before the Executive said: “During the fifteen years of the Grapevine/ West Lothian link a number of school exchanges have taken place at both teacher and pupil level.

“Heritage and cultural links have been formed, with local groups and organisations including Visit West Lothian, Almond Valley Heritage Centre and West Lothian College all having previously been involved in discussions and exchanges with Grapevine.

“In addition, the Gallagher Cup is a golf challenge for secondary school senior phase golfers, and has been played annually over courses in Grapevine and West Lothian during alternate years.”

The report added:“The Invest In West Lothian website is currently being developed to promote the benefits of doing business in West Lothian.