West Lothian’s newest councillor has been appointed deputy leader as a result of the General Election.
Susan Manion has been selected to replace Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan who formally resigned from the position of Depute Council Leader at a meeting of West Lothian Council on Tuesday.
Councillor Manion was elected in August as Labour councillor for the Armadale and Blackridge ward.
Councillor Manion said: “I am privileged to have been nominated and selected to serve as Depute Leader of West Lothian Council. I would like to thank Councillor Sullivan for her service in the role. I hope to continue her good work and ensure we do our utmost to deliver key services for the people of West Lothian and protect as many services as we can despite the devastating financial position facing all councils.”
Councillor Sullivan has served as Depute Leader since 2017. She remains a ward councillor in the Whitburn and Blackburn ward where she was first elected in 2017.
Councillor Sullivan was elected as MP for the UK Parliament constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow at the General Election held in July 2024.
Councillor Sullivan said: “It has been my honour to serve the residents of West Lothian as Depute Leader of the council. I would like to congratulate Councillor Manion on her selection and will do my best to ensure she is fully supported in the role.”
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, the council leader added: “Congratulations to Councillor Susan Manion. I look forward to working alongside her as we seek to protect key public services. I would also like to thank Councillor Sullivan for her immense contribution in the role over the past seven years.”
West Lothian Council has 33 Elected Members representing nine wards.
By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
