One third of the councillors who have served Dumfries and Galloway communities over the last five years won’t be seeking re-election on May 5.
Fourteen of the region’s 43 elected members – who have a collective 162 years of service – have confirmed that they will be standing down.
Broken down by council ward, those councillors are:
Abbey – Rob Davidson (SNP); Annandale North – Adam Wilson (Labour); Annandale South – Henry McClelland; Castle Douglas and Crocketford – David James (Independent); Dee and Glenkens – Jane Maitland (Independent); Lochar – John Charteris (Conservatives), Jeff Leaver (Labour); Mid and Upper Nithsdale – Matthew Ronnie (Conservatives); Mid Galloway and Wigtown West – Jim McColm (Independent); Nith – John Martin (Labour), Elaine Murray (Labour); North West Dumfries – David McKie (Labour), Ronnie Nicholson (Labour); Stranraer and the Rhins – Ros Surtees (SNP).
Outgoing council leader Elaine Murray announced last month that she would not be seeking re-election and was looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren.
Speaking at her last full council meeting, she said: “The new council will be elected in a few weeks and although we can only guess, or sometimes hope, for the results, we do know that 14 currently serving councillors are not standing for re-election. Between them, these councillors have 162 years of service.
“I thank them all for their service to Dumfries and Galloway, doing their terms of office and wish them well in whatever they wish to pursue next. Thanks and good luck to those members seeking re-election.”
