New councillor elected for Avondale and Stonehouse ward

Published: Friday 18 September 2026

Councillor Leigh Payne

Avondale and Stonehouse has a new councillor after a by-election was held yesterday.

Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate Leigh Payne was elected in Ward 5 with 1,025 first preference votes.

There were nine candidates in total and under the Single Transferable Vote electoral system used in local authority elections in Scotland, Councillor Payne was elected at the ninth stage.

The total electorate for the area was 16,077 and the number of ballot papers received was 3,731, giving a percentage turnout of 23.2%.

There were 19 rejected ballot papers.

The Ward 5 by-election had been called following the sad passing of Councillor Margaret Cooper.

Ward 5 by-election results - Avondale and Stonehouse Ward 5