South Lanarkshire Council
Scottish unitary authority Joe Fagan formerly led.
On 17 September 2026, the SNP's Leigh Payne gained the Avondale and Stonehouse ward on South Lanarkshire Council from an Independent, with first preferences of SNP 27.6%, Labour 20.0% and Reform UK 19.6%.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Who led South Lanarkshire Council before becoming a Scottish Labour leadership contender?
Timeline for South Lanarkshire Council
Held the Avondale and Stonehouse by-election
UK Local Elections 2026: Marra's MSPs vote for right to decideMentioned in: Lennon is off the Scottish Labour ballot
UK Local Elections 2026Three run for Scottish Labour leader
UK Local Elections 2026Background
South Lanarkshire Council is the unitary local authority for the South Lanarkshire Council area, with its headquarters in Hamilton. Its area takes in Lanark, Strathaven, Carluke, Rutherglen, Cambuslang and East Kilbride, a mix of former mining towns and Glasgow commuter suburbs. The council runs local services, decides planning applications and sets council tax.
Joe Fagan led the council until May 2026, when he entered the Scottish Parliament. He declared for the Scottish Labour leadership on 2 August, reached the members' ballot on 17 August with the backing of seven MPs, and lost to Michael Marra on 19 September by 2,485 votes to 4,266.
On 17 September the SNP gained the council's Avondale and Stonehouse ward from an Independent at a by-election. Leigh Payne won with 27.6% of first preferences, ahead of Labour on 20.0% and Reform UK on 19.6%.
Who used to lead South Lanarkshire Council?
Where is South Lanarkshire Council based?
