Fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and poverty are among the key issues for candidates fighting to be elected in Falkirk North.
Falkirk North (Ward 6) takes in Bainsford and Langlees, Camelon, Middlefield, Grahamston, the Bog Road area and Ladysmill.
There are seven candidates vying for votes in the Falkirk North ward ahead of the council elections on May 5, hoping to claim one of four seats and represent the ward for the next five years.
It has some of the areas with the highest levels of deprivation in the district and anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and poor housing are ongoing issues for many people.
However, it also has several strong community groups that are working hard to make long-term improvements to their areas.
Who won in 2017?
- David Alexander, Scottish National Party (SNP), 2326 (first preference votes)
- Dennis Goldie, Scottish Labour Party, 1118 (FPv)
- Cecil Meiklejohn, Scottish National Party (SNP), 1060 (FPv)
- Robert Bissett, Scottish Labour Party, 841 (FPv)
The background
Whatever happens in this ward, change is in the air for Falkirk North. Two of Falkirk's longest-serving politicians - both former party leaders and each with decades as councillors behind them - will not stand again.
The SNP's David Alexander and former Labour stalwart Dennis Goldie - who has been an Independent since resigning from the party in November last year - both leave big shoes to fill.
However, both SNP and Labour candidates include experienced councillors with both current respective group leaders standing.
The SNP group leader Cecil Meiklejohn is also the current Leader of Falkirk Council and her party is aiming to win an overall majority.
Also standing for the SNP is long-standing party activist Iain Sinclair, who lives in Langlees with his wife and two children.
The current Labour group leader Robert Bissett is also standing again and he is joined by Robbie Burgess, 22, a former member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and a current member of Unison Young Members Committee.
The Conservatives are hoping to win a seat in Falkirk North for the first time with their candidate James Bundy.
The party says he has experience leading local and national campaigns, to keep Bo'ness road open in Grangemouth and on the Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Dr Zohaib Arshad is standing for Alba Party for Independence.
In the 2017 election, the STV voting system played its part in electing the four councillors.
While Conservative Wendy Chandrachud picked up slightly more votes than Labour's Robert Bissett (916 compared to 841) the Conservatives did not pick up enough transfer votes to take a seat.
Who can I vote for?
Falkirk North (Ward 6) - four councillors to be elected from seven candidates
Robert Bissett, Scottish Labour Party;
James Bundy, Scottish Conservative and Unionist;
Robbie Burgess, Scottish Labour Party;
Judith McLaughlin, Scottish Green Party;
Cecil Meiklejohn, Scottish National Party (SNP);
Iain Sinclair, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Dr Zohaib Arshad, Alba Party for Independence.
