Dumbarton councillor Karen Conaghan will lead the SNP’s opposition on West Dunbartonshire Council, as she took over from Jonathan McColl as the group’s leader.
Labour took control of the council administration earlier this month, winning 12 seats - including two in Lomond and Leven.
And following the surprise result, Councillor McColl made the decision to step down as leader of the SNP group.
Councillor McColl will continue to serve as a member for Lomond.
It marks the start of a new era for the SNP in West Dunbartonshire, with Councillor Conaghan joined by first time Councillor Gordon Scanlon, who will serve as depute group leader.
Councillor Scanlon was elected in the Kilpatrick ward.
Meeting last week the group of nine unanimously elected Councillor Conaghan, who has been a member of the council since 2017.
The former education convenor said: “I’d like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Jonathan.
“He has given a lot of himself over the past 10 years and I am grateful to know he will continue to be there as a key member of the group and could be counted on to support Gordon and I in our new roles.”
The former depute provost continued: “We have new younger councillors in Gordon Scanlan, Sophie Traynor and Lauren Oxley who, despite their youth, bring a variety of experience and a wealth of new ideas.
“I am also looking forward to working with Chris Pollock whom I was pleased to see elected alongside me in the Dumbarton ward.
“There’s a good balance with returning councillors Ian Dickson and Diane Docherty and Jim McElhill back again.
“I’m keen to get on with the job of leading this new SNP group who will bring scrutiny and challenge to their role and work hard for the people of West Dunbartonshire”.
Councillor McColl, who served as council leader prior to the election added: “I was delighted to have nominated Karen. She is a passionate councillor, and someone who will be a great local leader for the SNP.
“Karen will have great support from Gordon, who despite being new, already has a firm grasp of the role of a councillor”.
Speaking after the vote on May 5, Councillor McColl pledged that the SNP would hold the incoming Labour administration to account.
He told the Lennox: “Obviously it’s a disappointing day for the SNP.
“I have to say that I’m delighted with the quality of candidates we now have elected. We have an influx of very talented young people.
“We will work as an effective opposition to scrutinise the work of the Labour administration in a worthwhile way.
“At the last election a lot of Labour voters voted Conservative.
“This time they have gone back home to Labour and that’s what swung it.
“There’s really not a lot we can do about that.”
∙ See page nine for Labour latest as new leader of West Dunbartonshire Council set to be confirmed tomorrow.
