West Lothian Council

Last updated

West Lothian Council
Coat of arms of West Lothian Council.svg
Coat of Arms
West Lothian Council.svg
West Lothian Council logo
Type
Type
History
Succeeded byWest Lothian District Council (1975-1996)
Leadership
Cathy Muldoon,
Labour
since 24 May 2022 [1]
Lawrence Fitzpatrick,
Labour
since 25 May 2017 [2]
Graham Hope
since September 2010
Structure
Seats33 councillors
WestLothianNovember2024.svg
Political groups
Administration (11)
  Labour (11)
Other parties (22)
  Scottish National Party (15)
  Conservative (4)
  Liberal Democrats (1)
  Independent (1)
  Vacant (1)
Elections
Single transferable vote
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
Livingston Civic Centre from the west - geograph.org.uk - 1627821.jpg
West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF
Website
www.westlothian.gov.uk

West Lothian Council is the local government authority for West Lothian council area.

Contents

History

West Lothian District Council

Local government across Scotland was reorganised in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which replaced the counties and burghs with a two-tier structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. West Lothian became a district within the Lothian region. Under that system, the authority was named West Lothian District Council. West Lothian district took its name from the historic county of West Lothian, which had covered a similar but not identical area. [3]

West Lothian Council

Local government was reorganised again in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which abolished the regions and districts created in 1975 and established 32 single-tier council areas across Scotland, one being West Lothian.

Political control

The council has been under no overall control since 2007, with a Labour leader since 2012.

The first election to West Lothian District Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1975 has been as follows: [4]

West Lothian District Council

Party in controlYears
Labour 1975–1977
No overall control 1977–1980
Labour 1980–1992
No overall control 1992–1996

West Lothian Council

Party in controlYears
Labour 1996–2007
No overall control 2007–

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1996 have been: [5]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Graeme Morrice Labour 1 April 1996May 2007
Peter Johnston SNP 10 May 2007May 2012
John McGinty Labour 10 May 2012May 2017
Lawrence Fitzpatrick Labour 25 May 2017

Composition

Following the 2022 election and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to November 2024, the composition of the council was:

PartyCouncillors
Scottish National Party 15
Labour 11
Conservative 4
Liberal Democrats 1
Independent 1
Vacant 1
Total33

A by-election to fill the vacancy is due on 14 November 2024. The next full council election is due in 2027. [6]

Elections

Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004. Election results since 1995 have been as follows: [4]

YearSeats SNP Labour Conservative Liberal Democrats Independent / Other Notes
1995 271115100Labour majority
1999 321120100New ward boundaries. [7] Labour majority
2003 321218101Labour majority
2007 321314104New ward boundaries. [8] SNP-Conservative-Action to Save St. John's Hospital [9]
2012 331516101Increase in number of councillors. [10]
2017 331312701Labour minority with Conservative support. [11]
2022 331512411Labour minority with Conservative-Independent-Liberal Democrat support. [12]

Premises

Former County Buildings, Linlithgow: One of the council's former offices Linlithgow Partnership Centre.jpg
Former County Buildings, Linlithgow: One of the council's former offices

The council is based at the West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston. The building was built in 2009 at a cost of £50 million to serve as a police headquarters and courthouse as well as offices for the council. [13] Prior to 2009 the council's offices had been divided between various buildings, including:

Lindsay House and West Lothian House were both demolished shortly after the new Civic Centre opened in 2009. [17] [18]

Services

Like all Scottish Councils, West Lothian Council provides services such as Education, [19] Social Work, [20] Housing, [21] Highways, Street lighting [22] and Cleansing. [23]

The council is responsible for the co-ordination of the planning and provision of public services in West Lothian. It works closely with other public bodies such as police, fire and health, through its community planning partnership.

West Lothian Council operates country parks at Beecraigs, Polkemmet, and Almondell & Calderwood. [24]

Wards

Map of the area's wards (2007 to 2017 configuration) West Lothian UK ward map (blank).svg
Map of the area's wards (2007 to 2017 configuration)

During elections West Lothian Council is divided geographically into 9 wards which then elect either three or four councillors each by the Single Transferable Vote system. The electoral system of local councils in Scotland is governed by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, an Act of the Scottish Parliament which first introduced proportional representation to councils. These electoral wards are as follows:

West Lothian Council Wards [25] [26]
Ward NumberWard NameLocationElected Members
1 Linlithgow Linlithgow.svg 3
2 Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh.svg 4
3 Livingston North Livingston North.svg 4
4 Livingston South Livingston South.svg 4
5 East Livingston and East Calder East Livingston and East Calder.svg 4
6 Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley.svg 3
7 Whitburn and Blackburn Whitburn and Blackburn.svg 4
8 Bathgate Bathgate.svg 4
9 Armadale and Blackridge Armadale and Blackridge.svg 3

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angus, Scotland</span> Council area of Scotland

Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Dundee City and Perth and Kinross. Main industries include agriculture and fishing. Global pharmaceuticals company GSK has a significant presence in Montrose in the east of the county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Dunbartonshire</span> Council area of Scotland

West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. The area lies to the north-west of the Glasgow City council area and contains many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages. West Dunbartonshire also borders Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire and Stirling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lothian</span> Region of the Scottish Lowlands

Lothian is a region of the Scottish Lowlands, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills and the Moorfoot Hills. The principal settlement is the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, while other significant towns include Livingston, Linlithgow, Bathgate, Queensferry, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Penicuik, Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Tranent, North Berwick, Dunbar and Haddington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Lothian</span> Council area of Scotland

West Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, bordering the City of Edinburgh council area, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Falkirk. The modern council area was formed in 1975 when the historic county of West Lothian, also known as Linlithgowshire, was reshaped substantially as part of local government reforms; some areas that had formerly been part of Midlothian were added to a new West Lothian District within the Region of Lothian, whilst some areas in the north-west were transferred to the Falkirk District and areas in the north-east were transferred to the City of Edinburgh District. In 1996 West Lothian became a unitary authority area, using the same name and territory as in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falkirk (council area)</span> Council area of Scotland

Falkirk is one of 32 unitary authority council areas of Scotland. It was formed on 1 April 1996 by way of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 from the exact boundaries of Falkirk District, one of three parts of the Central region created in 1975, which was abolished at that time. Prior to the 1975 reorganisation, the majority of the council area was part of the historic county of Stirlingshire, and a small part, namely Bo'ness and Blackness, was part of the former county of West Lothian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livingston, West Lothian</span> New town and administrative centre in Scotland

Livingston is the largest town in West Lothian, Scotland. Designated in 1962, it is the fourth post-war new town to be built in Scotland. Taking its name from a village of the same name incorporated into the new town, it was originally developed in the then-counties of Midlothian and West Lothian along the banks of the River Almond. It is situated approximately fifteen miles (25 km) west of Edinburgh and thirty miles (50 km) east of Glasgow, and is close to the towns of Broxburn to the north-east and Bathgate to the north-west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stirling (council area)</span> Council area of Scotland

The Stirling council area is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and has an estimated population of 92,530 (2022). It was created in 1975 as a lower-tier district within the Central region. The district covered parts of the historic counties of Stirlingshire and Perthshire, which were abolished for local government purposes. In 1996 the Central region was abolished and Stirling Council took over all local government functions within the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994</span> United Kingdom legislation

The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that created the current local government structure of 32 unitary authorities covering the whole of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livingston (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Livingston is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, to which it returns one Member of Parliament (MP). Elections are held using the first-past-the-post voting system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverclyde Council</span>

Inverclyde Council is one of the 32 local authorities of Scotland, covering the Inverclyde council area. In its current form the council was created in 1996, replacing the previous Inverclyde District Council which existed from 1975 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Lothian Council</span>

East Lothian Council is one of the 32 local government councils in Scotland covering the East Lothian area. Since the last boundary changes in 2017, 22 councillors have been elected from 6 wards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midlothian Council</span>

Midlothian Council is the local authority for Midlothian, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, covering an area immediately south of the city of Edinburgh. The council is based in Dalkeith. Since the last boundary changes in 2017, eighteen councillors have been elected from six wards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motherwell (district)</span> Former local government district in Strathclyde, Scotland

Motherwell was a local government district in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996, lying to the south-east of the regional capital Glasgow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Edinburgh Council</span> Local government body in Scotland

The City of Edinburgh Council is the local government authority covering the City of Edinburgh council area. Almost half of the council area is the built-up area of Edinburgh, capital of Scotland. With a population of 514,990 in 2022, it is the second most populous local authority area in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Lincolnshire Council</span>

North Lincolnshire Council is the local authority of North Lincolnshire, a local government district in the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire, England. The council is a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council; it is independent from Lincolnshire County Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 West Lothian Council election</span> Scottish local election

The 2012 West Lothian Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of West Lothian Council. The election used the 9 wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 33 Councillors being elected. The Bathgate Ward gained an additional seat for the 2012 elections. The election saw Labour remain the largest party on the Council as they gained 2 seats. The Scottish National Party (SNP) also made 2 net gains and significantly increased their vote share, outpolling Labour in terms of votes cast. The Conservatives retained their single seat on the Council and so to did the Independents. The Action to Save St. John's Hospital group were completely wiped out from the authority losing all of their 3 seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livingston South (ward)</span> Electoral jurisdiction in Scotland

Livingston South is one of the nine wards used to elect members of the West Lothian Council. It elects four Councillors. In April 2020, Peter Johnson retired from West Lothian Council triggering a by-election on the 11th March 2021 where Maria MacAulay (SNP) was duly elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathgate (ward)</span> Electoral ward of West Lothian Council, Scotland

Bathgate is one of the nine wards used to elect members of the West Lothian Council. It elects four Councillors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 West Lothian Council election</span> 2022 Scottish local government election

The 2022 West Lothian Council election was held on 5 May 2022, on the same day as the 31 other local authorities in Scotland. The election used the nine wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 33 Councillors elected. Each ward elects either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system - a form of proportional representation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Lothian (historic)</span> Historic county and lieutenancy area of eastern Scotland

West Lothian, also known as Linlithgowshire, is a historic county in the east central Lowlands of Scotland. until 1925. It is bounded geographically by the Avon to the west and the Almond to the east. It was reshaped significantly following local government reforms in 1975, becoming slightly larger but with major territorial changes: some areas in the north-west were transferred to Falkirk; areas in the north-east were transferred to Edinburgh; and some areas in the south that had formerly been part of Midlothian were added to a new West Lothian District within the Region of Lothian. This then became a standalone local authority area in the most recent major reorganisation enacted in 1996, retaining those same boundaries and name.

References

  1. "Council minutes, 24 May 2022". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  2. "Council minutes, 25 May 2017". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  3. "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1973 c. 65, retrieved 24 December 2022
  4. 1 2 "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  5. "Council minutes". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  6. "West Lothian". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  7. "The West Lothian (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1998/3076, retrieved 25 December 2022
  8. Scottish Parliament. The West Lothian (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 as made, from legislation.gov.uk .
  9. Local Single Issue Political Party to save St. John's Hospital in Livingston
  10. Scottish Parliament. The West Lothian (Electoral Arrangements) Councillor Numbers Order 2011 as made, from legislation.gov.uk .
  11. "Labour denies minority deal with Tories in West Lothian". Edinburgh Evening News. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  12. Sommerville, Stuart (24 May 2022). "New minority West Lothian Labour leaders accused of "grubby" deal with Tories". Daily Record. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  13. "Alex Salmond unveils £50m Livingston civic centre". BBC News. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  14. Historic Environment Scotland. "High Street, County Buildings with screen wall lamp standards and Provost's lamp (LB37399)" . Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  15. "Chambers par excellence: Bathgate's fine new image". West Lothian Courier. Bathgate. 18 February 1966. p. 8. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  16. "Livingston, Sidlaw House". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  17. Kerr, Marjorie (17 December 2009). "West Lothian Council revamps Bathgate office". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  18. Kerr, Marjorie (13 May 2010). "Plans for West Lothian House". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  19. "West Lothian Council – Schools and Education". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  20. "West Lothian Council – Health and Social Care". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  21. "West Lothian Council – Housing". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  22. "West Lothian Council – Roads, Streets and Parking". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  23. "West Lothian Council – Recycling and Waste". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  24. "Countryside and Wildlife". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  25. "West Lothian Council – Councillors and Wards". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  26. "United Kingdom: Scotland | Council Areas and Electoral Wards". City Population. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2021.