West Lothian Council
West Lothian Council (/ˈloʊðiən/) is the local authority for the West Lothian area of Scotland and has 33 elected members. Councillors are generally elected every five years, with the next election falling in summer 2022.
West Lothian Council | |
---|---|
Type | |
Type | |
Leadership | |
Provost of West Lothian | |
Leader of the Council | Cllr Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Labour since May 2017 |
Chief Executive | Graham Hope since September 2010 |
Structure | |
Seats | 33 |
Political groups | Administration
Other parties
|
Elections | |
Single transferable vote | |
Last election | 4 May 2017 |
Next election | 5 May 2022 |
Meeting place | |
West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston | |
Website | |
westlothian.gov.uk/ |
Overview
The Council makes its decisions at its meetings, or those of its Committees and Sub-Committees which are held at the West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston. This building is acts as the headquarters for the council.
Like all Scottish Councils, West Lothian Council provides services such as Education,[1] Social Work,[2] Housing,[3] Highways, Street lighting[4] and Cleansing.[5]
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.[6]
Electoral Wards
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:
Ward Number | Ward Name | Elected Members |
---|---|---|
1 | Linlithgow | 3 |
2 | Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh | 4 |
3 | Livingston North | 4 |
4 | Livingston South | 4 |
5 | East Livingston and East Calder | 4 |
6 | Fauldhouse and the Briech Valley | 3 |
7 | Whitburn and Blackburn | 4 |
8 | Bathgate | 4 |
9 | Armadale and Blackridge | 3 |
Electoral History
Election | Control | Administration |
---|---|---|
2003 | Majority | Labour |
2007 | Minority | SNP-Conservative-Action to Save St. John's Hospital[8] |
2012 | Minority | Labour-Conservative-Independent |
2017 | Minority | Labour-Conservative |
References
- "West Lothian Council – Schools and Education". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- "West Lothian Council – Health and Social Care". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- "West Lothian Council – Housing". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- "West Lothian Council – Roads, Streets and Parking". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- "West Lothian Council – Recycling and Waste". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- "Countryside and Wildlife". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
- "West Lothian Council – Councillors and Wards". www.westlothian.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
- Local Single Issue Political Party to save St. John's Hospital in Livingston