Long-serving North Lanarkshire councillor and former group leader to step down

dailyrecord.co.uk:

North Lanarkshire’s longest-serving opposition councillor is to stand down at May’s council elections.David Stocks has represented Airdrie wards for 27 years and led the council’s SNP group on the authority from 2011 until 2019.He is one of just four original members elected when the authority was first formed who is still in office at the Civic Centre chamber.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Announcing his decision, Councillor Stocks told Lanarkshire Live: “I just feel the time is right to go after 27 years; I’d been thinking since last summer about what to do ahead of this election. “I’ll be 70 this year and just think this is the right time to go and enjoy it.“Over the years on the council I’ve enjoyed seeing the SNP group growing – and I’ve been proud of representing the area where I live.”Councillor Stocks grew up in Gartlea, which has always formed part of his ward, attending Tollbrae Primary and Airdrie High and going on to find employment at British Steel’s former Imperial Works in nearby Cairnhill.He was elected to the newly-created North Lanarkshire in its first election in 1995 ahead of the new unitary authority officially replacing regional and district councils the following year.