Anti social behaviour in public areas has been a concern in the last year in Livingston South but the biggest issue for local people was the closure of the Lanthorn Community centre for repairs.
Livingston South consists of Ladywell, Howden, Kaimes, Livingston Village south of the river Almond, Adambare, Dedridge , Bellsquarry and Murieston.
Livingston South takes in most of the town centre of the new town, with the ward climbing southwards towards open country that has long attracted developers. Since the 1990s some of the largest homes in Livingston have been built in areas such as Murieston and there continues to be pressure for development on the semi-rural fringe of the town.
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Anti social behaviour issues in the town centre focus around the growth of pop-up cruises, where young drivers gather from across the county and beyond in supermarket car parks, which generate noise and traffic issues.
Last summer also saw a surge in complaints about behaviour on Howden Park.
One of Livingston’s most iconic buildings, The Lanthorn in Dedridge has served as a community hub to the area since the early 1970s. Conceived as a community gathering space and home to St Philips and Livingston United Church, the building also served as a local library until a year ago when Siporx, a porous concrete once popular as a building material was discovered in parts of the roof. The council has committed to renovating and reopening the centre fully within two years.
2017 Results:
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Labour: 27.12% FPv (2,228 total)
Peter Johnston, SNP: 20.69% FPv (1,700, total)
Peter Heggie, Conservative: 19.40% FPv (1,673 total)
Moira Shemilt, SNP: 13,02% FPv (1,827 total)
2022 Candidates:
Once a straight split between the SNP and Labour, Livingston South is another ward which chose a Conservative candidate in 2017. Peter Heggie will stand again for the party. Labour hopes to take back another of the seats.
The ward is home to Labour group leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick and was to former SNP group leader and local political veteran Peter Johnson.
Councillor Johnson, long a force in West Lothian politics, stood down because of ill health just before the first lockdown. His seat was won by Maria MacAulay for the SNP. Also looking to retain a seat for the SNP is sitting councillor Moira McKee Shemilt
One of busiest wards in this contest, 10 candidates will vie for four seats in May. Among those are two independents Eddie Anderson, who runs a popular FB news site and Eddie Millar.
Candidate List:
Eddie Anderson, Independent;
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Scottish Labour Party;
Cameron Glasgow, Scottish Green Party;
Margaret Hamilton, Scottish Family Party;
Peter Heggie, Scottish Conservative and Unionists;
Caron Lindsay, Scottish Liberal Democrats;
Maria MacAulay, Scottish National Party;
Moira McKee Shemilt, Scottish National Party;
Eddie Millar, Independent;
Craig Smith, Scottish Labour Party .
