As voters get ready to go to the polls this week those hoping to win public support will know that they are coming into office facing probably some of the most challenging times in more than a generation for West Lothian.
With budgets already over-stretched and costs continuing to rise, the local council will still have to deal with an expanding population, a shortage of affordable housing and increasing pressure on health and education services from the houses that are being built, as well as meeting climate targets, delivering transport improvements and helping get local businesses back on track in the wake of the pandemic.
Each of the parties asking for your vote on Thursday - whatever ward you live in - has recognised that these issues are not instantly solvable and largely down to pressures outside the council’s control.
