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Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor by-election date revealed
Cllr Betty Cunningham, Labour, passed away on Saturday, May 31 at the age of 79 after a period of ill health.
Following her death, tributes flowed in from across the political spectrum, with the council stalwart, who was first elected in 1999, described as a 'formidable' fighter for Barrhead.
East Renfrewshire Council has now revealed it intends to hold a by-election for the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor ward on Thursday, August 21.
READ MORE: 'Her death is a massive loss': Heartfelt tributes paid to long-serving councillor
The council is currently led by a minority Labour-independent administration, which includes independent councillor Danny Devlin. There are now four Labour councillors, three independents, five SNP and five Conservatives.
At the last election in 2022, Cllr Devlin picked up the most first preference votes in the ward (1,753), followed by the SNP's Angela Convery (1,639). Cllr Cunningham and Cllr Chris Lunday, SNP, were also elected.
Cllr Cunningham — a former Provost from 2003 to 2007 — received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi, having first travelled to the African country in 2007. Her charity, the Betty Cunningham International Trust, built a health clinic and nursery schools.
She was also handed a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) annual councillor awards last year.
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Council leader Owen O'Donnell, Labour, previously said: 'Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA.
'She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake!
'She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with.'
Provost Mary Montague, Labour, added: 'Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire.
'She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it.'
