WLSNPCllrs

4. Seconding the amendment Councillor @drmoiras.bsky.social expressed welcome and surprise at Labour’s motion, suggesting the party had “caved-in”.

3. It called on the council to: “Provide a range of costings for a new East Calder High school, the cost of an extension to James Young High and Winchburgh High School, as well as the school transportation costs for each option.”

2. The SNP amendment put forward by Councillor Veronica Smith, called for: “officers [to] undertake a transparent study to determine the feasibility of a new East Calder High School that takes into account the future developments within East Calder and the surrounding communities to 2036.”

West Lothian parents win concession on high school consultation Welcoming the change the opposition SNP group said Labour had “caved-in” in the face of a powerful parent led campaign for a new East Calder High School.

Welcoming the change the opposition SNP group said Labour had “caved-in” in the face of a powerful parent led campaign for a new East Calder High School. The party’s own amendment calling for a much deeper commitment to a new school was defeated.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-n...

3. “The big challenge seems to be how do we inform people what’s going on. I know at Deans High School I know Xcite is trying to promote swimming there because most people don’t think there’s a swimming pool in Livingston, but there is.

“It’s a big challenge to get that information out there.”

2. “It’s tremendous, there’s so much there but unless you read this paper or unless you actually walk into the building you have no idea that so many amazing things are happening. That applies to all groups.

Spreading the word in West Lothian without social media An “absolutely phenomenal”  army of volunteers is providing a range of social and practical services across northern Livingston.  But in the age of social media, many people who would benefit the most...

Councillor Andrew Miller said: “Very much following on from Alison’s point, there are so many good things happening, particularly when you look at the library update.

theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/11/spre...

Majority of council homes left in squalid conditions after tenants move out Housing officers are working to engage with tenants in a bid to cut the numbers of empty council homes being left trashed and abandoned.

Cllr @mariamacsnp.bsky.social: “How are we managing voids? I wanted to ask about the costs.”

Cllr @drmoiras.bsky.social: if there was a way that housing officers could “legally monitor” the conduct of tenants and how they treat council homes.

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/majorit...

None of 260 new West Lothian Council vehicles purchased are electric The council’s Operational Services department is testing some light commercial EVs, a meeting was told, but none have entered full time service with the council.

SNP Councillor Veronica Smith asked: “Of the 269 vehicles purchased how many are electric?”

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-n...

9. “I don’t know why anyone here can say that policies instituted by the Scottish Government are not having a positive effect. No-one is saying we can rest on our laurels. No-one is saying we don’t need to do more.”

8. Councillor Janet Campbell, the SNP group leader, told the meeting that child poverty figures were 23% in Scotland, 31% in England and 33% in Wales.

7. Thanking Ms Hanif and her team for an “incredible job” Councillor Stafford warned against considering cuts to the APS and other vital non-statutory services in the upcoming budget.”

6. There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Scotland is the only part of the country where child poverty levels are falling.”

5. Labour has been power for 16 months and had every opportunity to pull the one lever that every charity has said is the most cost effective way to pull people out of poverty. You have not pulled that lever.

4. Councillor Pauline Stafford, the opposition group’s depute leader, referring to scrapping the benefit cap, said : “

3. And they highlighted the support of policies by national economists which show that Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling.

2. SNP councillors said not enough credit was given to the success of Scottish Government benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment and mitigation against the two child cap.

Child poverty figures focus of blame game among West Lothian councillors Labour points to long term rise in poverty while SNP group defends benefits record and says Scotland fares better than the rest of the UK

Councillor Veronica Smith, SNP, said the introduction to the report was “selective and lacked balance”.

www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/child-p...

4/especially for Howden community council who really were the ones raising this issue with me. I want to thank everyone involved for the work they have done because it is really important for those who were suffering slightly. “

3/“ I know that residents who had contacted me had not ever wanted to stop events but they just wanted to feel involved, so this paper today highlights that and I’m really pleased to see that the communication will be working,

2/Councillor MacAulay said: “I’m really pleased to see that my motion has gone through the appropriate channels and the council had discussions with Showmen’s Guild and that was a long time coming. I’m really pleased to see the results of that.

Fed-up West Lothian neighbours win fight against 'noise and mess from funfairs' Householders living next to Howden Park in Livingston spent years calling for tighter rules around travelling fairs and the disturbance they brought to their doorsteps

1/Livingston residents won the promises following calls for a review of rules by local councillor @mariamacsnp.bsky.social last year.

www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/fed-up-...

5/“Right back at the start of this a Labour councillor who is no longer in the chamber said something that has stayed with me; that the solutions to this won’t be found in this room but out there in our communities.”

4/This is about how we work as a council and how we engage with the people that we serve and whether we can build a mutual trust.”

3 Councillor Stafford told the meeting: “This administration continues to plough ahead regardless, ignoring the voices in our communities. Elected representatives are trying in good faith to protect their communities.

2/The amendment also called for the decision to go to full council- similar to an amendment she made last month.

West Lothian SNP fails to stall community centres plan for second time - Midlothian View West Lothian’s SNP group has failed in a second attempt to stall a decision on changes in community centres.

Pauline Stafford, SNP depute leader, amendment “To achieve the required savings and final decision… will be required in October 2025. Yet the paper represented today makes clear the process remains open-ended and further work and uncertainty will continue.”

www.midlothianview.com/news/west-lo...

Firework legislation branded “toothless tiger” by West Lothian councillor Firework legislation has been branded a “toothless tiger” by a councillor as West Lothian readies for Bonfire night.  It comes after a second raid in a month in the county recovered 200kg of fireworks...

Councillor Maria MacAulay thanked the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their work ahead of the week and added: “I hope the fire brigade and all partners remain safe this season.”

theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/10/fire...

West Lothian councillor by-election set for December 11 The poll follows the surprise resignation of Labour councillor David Russell in September.

The ward has four councillors and extends from the village of Greenrigg in the west to Seafield in the east. The seat has been divided between SNP and Labour-including long-serving councillors, the SNP’s Jim Dickson and Labour’s George Paul.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-n...

3. “These zones are designed to protect people, pets, and communities from the distress fireworks can cause. Other local authorities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Falkirk, have already explored or implemented such measures.”