 | 'Hector will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues at South Lanarkshire Council.' Council Leader Eddie McAvoy, 10 th January 2006. |  |
| 'Hector will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues at South Lanarkshire Council.' Council Leader Eddie McAvoy, 10 th January 2006. | |
There was a by-election for the Avondale South ward of South Lanarkshire Council on the 30 th March 2006 following the death of Conservative Cllr Hector Macdonald on 6 th January 2006.
Avondale South is in the East Kilbride, Strathaven & Lesmahagow Westminster parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP) and in the East Kilbride Scottish parliamentary seat (held by Labour's Andy Kerr MSP).
| 30 th March 2006 By-election Turnout 39.8 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Hogarth |  |
Conservative | 775 | 51.0 % | + 9.3 % |
| Peter Duff |  |
Labour | 315 | 20.7 % | - 6.8 % |
| William Holman |  |
Scottish National Party | 221 | 14.5 % | - 7.3 % |
| Stuart Brown |  |
Independent | 79 | 5.2 % | (+ 5.2 %) |
| Kirsten Robb |  |
Scottish Green Party | 71 | 4.7 % | (+ 4.7 %) |
| Bernard Hughes |  |
Liberal Democrat | 59 | 3.9 % | - 5.1 % |
| Conservative hold | |
Conservative majority | 460 | 30.3 % | + 16.1 % |
| 1 st May 2003 Turnout % ( %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Hamish Macdonald | |
Conservative | 843 | 41.7 % | - 3.2 % |
| Peter Duff | |
Labour | 557 | 27.5 % | - 1.6 % |
| Alan Stevenson | |
Scottish National Party | 441 | 21.8 % | - 4.2 % |
| Nigel Benzies | |
Liberal Democrat | 182 | 9.0 % | (+ 9.0 %) |
| Conservative hold | |
Conservative majority | 286 | 14.2 % | - 1.6 % |
| 6 th May 1999 Turnout 66.0 % (+ 24.4 %) | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Hamish Macdonald | |
Conservative | 1,139 | 44.9 % | + 12.3 % |
| John Quinn | |
Labour | 738 | 29.1 % | - 2.2 % |
| Duncan McLean | |
Scottish National Party | 658 | 26.0 % | - 4.4 % |
| Conservative hold | |
Conservative majority | 401 | 15.8 % | + 14.5 % |
| 6 th April 1995 Turnout 41.6 % | |||||
| Candidate | Logo | Party | Votes | % | % change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cllr Hamish Macdonald | |
Conservative | 476 | 32.6 % | |
| Andrew Kerr | |
Labour | 457 | 31.3 % | |
| James Dew | |
Scottish National Party | 444 | 30.4 % | |
| Douglas Service | |
Liberal Democrat | 85 | 5.8 % | |
| Conservative win | |
Conservative majority | 19 | 1.3 % | |
Well-known Strathaven councillor Hector Macdonald has died aged 84.
Mr Macdonald, Conservative councillor for Avondale South, was first
elected to East Kilbride Council in 1988. He represented the ward
continuously until 1996 when the district council was replaced by the
new unitary authority, South Lanarkshire Council.
Hector was also returned as the elected member for Avondale South ward
on the newly formed South Lanarkshire Council in 1995, and served as a
member of the council from its shadow year in 1995 until his death on
Friday 6 January. He won the Avondale South seat at the 1999 and 2003
local government elections.
A retired electrical engineer, Hector was also a member of Strathaven
Town Centre Forum Steering Group.
Council Leader Eddie McAvoy paid tribute to Hector Macdonald this
week. He said: "Hector will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues
at South Lanarkshire Council. He was a member of the Executive
Committee and served on many council committees including the
Education and Planning Committees and East Kilbride Area Committee.
"On behalf of his many colleagues, both councillors and council
officials, I extend my sympathies to his family."
Councillor Macdonald's funeral will take place at 10.30am on Monday 16
January in the West Church, Townhead Street, Strathaven.
Hector Macdonald, who has died at the age of 83, was the Conservative councillor for Avondale South on South Lanarkshire Council.
Hector was born and brought up in Springburn, Glasgow, before joining the Merchant Navy as an engineering officer. He then worked for the South of Scotland Electricity Board (SSEB) for over 30 years as a distribution engineer, a job which often involved him working in difficult conditions restoring power to communities where the supply had been interrupted by bad weather. He was well respected both for his dedication to the job and his commitment to representing the interests of colleagues through the Electrical Power Engineers Association, where he served at both local and national level.
Retirement from work provided Hector with the opportunity to dedicate himself to public service as a local councillor and he was first elected to East Kilbride District Council in 1988 as the councillor for Avondale South. Thereafter he represented the ward on the new unitary authority of South Lanarkshire Council from 1996 until his death. In this capacity he served on many council committees and was fully involved in the life of the community of Strathaven. His first priority was at all times the interests of the people he represented, and as a result he was held in great affection and regard by colleagues across the political spectrum. He was a man whose word was his bond and once he set his mind to a task he would see it through to completion.
Hector married Mary Ward in 1953 and they moved to Strathaven shortly after the birth of their daughter, Fiona, in 1961, who was followed in 1963 by their son, Robin. Mary's death in a road accident three years ago was a great loss but Hector took strength and encouragement from the support he received from family, friends and neighbours, and continued to serve his community until his death.
TRIBUTES were paid this week to Hector Macdonald, well-known Strathaven councillor who died last week, aged 84.
Hector represented the area as the elected member for 18 years in all.
He died at his home during the early hours of Friday, January 6, and was found by a neighbour later the same day.
The Conservative councillor for Avondale South was first elected to East Kilbride Council in 1988.
He represented the ward continuously until 1996 when the district council was replaced by the new unitary authority, South Lanarkshire Council.
Hector was also returned as the elected member for Avondale South ward on the newly-formed South Lanarkshire Council in 1995 and served as a member of the council from its shadow year until his death.
He won the Avondale South seat at the 1999 and 2003 local government elections.
A retired Scottish Power electrical engineer, Hector was a member of Strathaven Town Centre Forum Steering Group and was also active within the Strathaven and Glassford Community Council.
Council Leader Eddie McAvoy led the tributes to Hector Macdonald this week.
He said: 'Hector will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues at South Lanarkshire Council.
'He was a member of the Executive Committee and served on many council committees including the education and planning Committees and East Kilbride Area Committee.
'On behalf of his many colleagues, both councillors and council officials, I extend my sympathies to his family.'
Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell said: 'Hector's first priority was always to his constituents and it's a testament to his energy that he did this job so well, even in his 80s.
'He was very much old school in that his word was his bond and he was a real gentleman and had a great sense of humour.
'He was also a great family man and was very brave in overcoming a real personal tragedy a number of years ago.
'We'll all miss him.'
The family tragedy referred to was in August 2002 when the Strathaven councillor's 79-year-old wife Mary died in a road accident, not long after the couple had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.
The accident happened on the A723 Strathaven-Hamilton road, near its junction with Limekilnburn Road.
The Macdonalds' car went out of control and hit a bridge parapet before almost crashing into a bungalow.
Hector's death will trigger a by-election and while no date has been set, it is expected to be around the end of March.
Councillor Macdonald's funeral will take place at 10.30am on Monday, January 16, in the West Church, Townhead Street, Strathaven.
The by-election for Avondale South (Ward 32) will take place on Thursday 30 March 2006 following the death of Councillor Hector Macdonald who represented the ward from 1995 until his death last month.
Nomination forms for anyone wishing to stand for the councillor's position are now available on the council's website or can be obtained from the Election Office, South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters, Almada Street, Hamilton.
The Election Office is open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered to the Election Office by 4pm on Wednesday 8 March 2006.
Any elector can apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, North Stand, Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton ML3 0LU by 5pm on Wednesday 22 March 2006.
Applications to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the above address by 5pm on Wednesday 15 March 2006.
For advice on postal or proxy voting contact: 01698 476080.
The by-election for Avondale South (Ward 32) will take place on Thursday 30 March 2006.
Nomination forms for anyone wishing to stand for the councillor's position can be found by following the link in the 'Related forms, publications' section on the left-hand side of this Election page.
Alternatively if you wish to collect the form in person, the Election Office, South Lanarkshire Council Headquarters, Almada Street, Hamilton, is open for the issue and delivery of nomination papers on weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Completed nomination papers must be delivered to the Election Office by 4pm on Wednesday 8 March 2006.
The vacancy for a councillor for this ward came about following the death of Councillor Hector Macdonald who represented the ward from 1995 until his death last month.
Previous results:
At the last local elections in 2003, the results for the Avondale South ward were: Nigel R V Benzies (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 182; Peter Duff (Scottish Labour Party) 557; Hector Macdonald (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) 843 (majority 286); Alan Stevenson (Scottish National Party) 441.
The full results in 1999 were: Hector Macdonald (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) 1139 (majority 401); Duncan McLean (Scottish National Party) 658; John Quinn (Scottish Labour Party) 738.
On Thursday 30 March 2006 voting will take place to elect a Councillor for Avondale South (Ward 32).
The deadline for nominations closed at 4pm today. The list of candidates is as follows:
Stuart Brown (Independent);
Peter Duff (Scottish Labour Party);
Stanley Hogarth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party);
William Holman (Scottish National Party - SNP);
Bernard Hughes (Scottish Liberal Democrats);
Kirsten Robb (Scottish Green Party).
Polling will take place between 8am and 9pm at the following four polling places: Gilmourton Primary School, Drumclog, Strathaven; Kirklandpark Primary School, Kirklandpark Avenue, Strathaven (two stations); Avendale Old Parish Church Hall, 59A Kirk Street, Strathaven; Sandford Village Hall, Waterside, Sandford, Strathaven.
The count will take place in Kirklandpark Primary School following the close of pole.
The by-election was called following the death of Councillor Hector Macdonald who represented the ward from 1995 until his death in January 2006.
Any elector can apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post or by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer, North Stand, Cadzow Avenue, Hamilton ML3 0LU by 5pm on Wednesday 22 March 2006.
Applications to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the above address by 5pm on Wednesday 15 March 2006.
For advice on postal or proxy voting contact: 01698 476080.
More information on South Lanarkshire Council local elections can be found on the council's website - click on the Council button on the dark blue navigation bar at the top of the Home page and then the Election link in the light blue box on the left-hand side of the Council page.
Stanley Hogarth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) has been elected to serve on South Lanarkshire Council for Avondale South (Ward 32).
The results of the by-election held on Thursday 30 March were as follows:
Stuart Brown (Independent) - 79
Peter Duff (Scottish Labour Party) - 315
Stanley Hogarth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) - 775
William Holman (Scottish National Party - SNP) - 221
Bernard Hughes (Scottish Liberal Democrats) - 59
Kirsten Robb (Scottish Green Party) - 71
Majority - 460
Votes cast - 1522
Turnout - 39.8%
Rejected Votes - 2
Scottish Labour lost two local authority wards in council by-elections on Thursday.
The SNP took the Stirling Borestone ward while in Glasgow the Liberal Democrats gained Kings Park.
Scott Farmer became Stirling's sole SNP councillor after winning with a majority of 39 votes. Margot Clark became Glasgow's fourth Lib Dem.
Elsewhere, the Conservatives retained their seat in the Avondale South by-election in South Lanarkshire.
Labour suffered two landslide byelection defeats in Scotland and lost its overall majority on Stirling council.
The defeats at the hands of Liberal Democrats and the SNP piles on the agony for the party north of border after two losses in February.
It also follows Lib Dems' triumph in the Dunfermline and Fife West Commons contest.
The win by the SNP's Scott Farmer at Borestone gives his party a foothold on Stirling council. Labour now has 11 councillors - with the provost's casting vote - and Tories 10.
Candidate Margot Clark took the Lib Dems to victory from fourth place in 2003 at Kings Park, Glasgow.
The increased Tory majority in their Avondale South enclave at South Lanarkshire highlighted an ominous trend for Labour.
So far this year it has lost five seats - including Dunfermline - with swings ranging from 8% to more than 19% to whichever party the voters think is the most promising challenger locally.
In the Moray Scottish parliament byoelection, announced for April 27, it already starts in third place.
However there was better news for it in England at Nottinghamshire's Mansfield District where candidate Keith Beastall recovered the Forest Town West seat of a former Labour member who became a "people's councillor" after a row over the method of paying the party subscription.
o
Analysis of 18 comparable results during March suggests a projected 5.7% nationwide Tory leader over Labour.
A calculation based on 15 three-way contests gives a line-up of Con 37.6%, Lab 30.4%, Lib Dem 26.0%.
This would indicate an advance for Lib Dems in the May main polls, limited overall gains for Tories and net losses for Labour.
Results
Epsom and Ewell Borough - Town: Lib Dem 438, Residents 373, Con 205, Lab 102. (May 2003 - Three seats Lib Dem 574, 564, 548, Residents Association 333, Con 305, Residents 292, 288, Con 280, 277, Lab 149, 145, 139). Lib Dem hold. Swing 0.1% Lib Dem to Con.
Glasgow City - King's Park: Lib Dem 572, Lab 472, SNP 431, C 222, Scottish Socialist party 44, Green 38, Ind 23. (May 2003 - Lab 1117, SNP 609, Con 355, Lib Dem 254, Ind 249). Lib Dem gain from Lab. Swing 19.4% Lab to Lib Dem.
Mansfield District - Forest Town West: Lab 365, Lib Dem 197, Green 187, Con 175, Ind 43. (May 2003 - Three seats Lab 472, Ind 452, Lab 429, Ind 401, Lab 389, Green 341, Con 316, 305, 304). Lab gain from People's Councillor. Swing 5.7% Con to Lab.
South Lanarkshire Council - Avondale South: Con 775, Lab 315, SNP 221, Ind 79, Green 71, Lib Dem 59. (May 2003 - Con 843, Lab 557, SNP 441, Lib Dem 182). Con hold. Swing 8% Lab to Con.
Stirling Council - Borestone: SNP 374, Lab 335, Lib Dem 165, Con 57. (May 2003 - Lab 613, SNP 268, Con 141, Lib Dem 96, Scottish Socialist party 86). SNP gain from Lab. Swing 16.3% Lab to SNP.
LABOUR has crashed to two by-election defeats in Scotland and lost its overall majority on Stirling Council.
The losses, at the hands of Liberal Democrats and the SNP, pile on the agony for the party north of the Border after two defeats in February, including the Lib Dems' victory in the contest for the Dunfermline and Fife West seat at Westminster.
The win by the SNP's Scott Farmer at Borestone gives the nationalists a foothold on Stirling Council.
Labour now has 11 councillors - with the Provost's casting vote - and the Tories ten.
Meanwhile, Margot Clark took the Lib Dems to victory from fourth place in 2003 at Kings Park, Glasgow.
So far this year, Labour has lost five seats - including Dunfermline - with swings ranging from 8 per cent to more than 19 per cent to whichever party the voters think is the most promising challenger locally.
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