The death of long-serving and respected councillor Helen Oswald in October led to independent David Cheape taking the former provost’s seat.
With the SNP losing a councillor, it meant all three councillors in Carnoustie were independents, with Mr Cheape joining Bill Bowles and Brian Boyd.
The three independents are standing again and the SNP has chosen to field just one candidate in the ward – Mark McDonald who came second to Mr Cheape in December’s by-election – to maximise their chances of regaining a councillor.
They are joined on the ballot paper by Joanne McFadden (Labour), Beth Morrison (Liberal Democrats) and Terry O’Halloran (Conservative).
The extension of the golf centre at the Carnoustie Links, which will house a new restaurant and bar, is an issue that has split opinion in the town.
Some see it as an investment in one of the biggest tourist attractions in Angus, others as a threat to the town’s pubs and restaurants which will discourage golfers from spreading the tourism benefits.
There are also divisions in the business community over plans for the town to become a Business Improvement District, with a vital vote on the proposal due this summer.
Backers say a successful BID would see a number of town improvements take place but there is anger over the level of business levies and the boundary area.
A recent boost to the High Street has been the installation of an electric charging point at the former Fairway Garage thanks to a grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
Candidate profiles
The Courier invited each candidate to submit a short introduction to themselves and, if they wished, a video explaining why they deserve your vote.
Bill Bowles (independent)
I seek re-election for Angus Council, not as a professional politician but as a local man who passionately believes in my town and district.
Carnoustie needs and deserves local representatives who are willing to seek the best outcomes for those whom they represent.
I firmly believe that party politics are unnecessary at the local level and can be detrimental to the good governance of local services.
Local councillors must concentrate on local issues and not national, party political ones.
I want to see our working population become fully employed. I want to see great opportunities for our young people in sport and training for work. I want to see a thriving community. I want to see Angus truly “open for business”.
These things are starting to happen but we are not there yet. I have started a job I want to see through to the end.
Brian Boyd (independent)
It’s been a real privilege to serve as your independent councillor. I am very proud to have been the first independent councillor elected in our ward.
When I last asked for your vote I promised that my singular focus would be on securing the best deal for our town.
In the last session I successfully argued against plans to close our recycling centre, the Panmure Centre and the burgh chambers.
I fought to secure £930,000 bringing derelict High Street properties back into use, £2.5m on new council houses, £3.5m commitment to future nursery and primary school facilities, £630,000 on library refurbishment, £665,000 on new football pitches and £200,000 on the Skate Park.
Over the next years Angus Council will continue to face horrific cuts handed down from the SNP Government.
With your vote I would like to continue my fight for the best deal for Carnoustie and District.
David Cheape (independent)
Since being elected in the December 2016 by-election, I have worked on behalf of residents on issues such as breaches of planning, traffic concerns, litter and environmental pollution, parking charges at Monikie/Crombie parks and the policing of drugs in our community and attended all community council meetings.
So it has been a busy few months but I’m just getting started.
The planned golf centre extension has split opinion. Angus Council appointed me a trustee of Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee and my aim is to bring more openness, governance and accountability.
What matters is what’s best for Carnoustie and its place within Angus.
Angus Council will have to make difficult decisions with public services in the years ahead.
It’s crucial that we have a council that prioritises and invests in core public services.
Local councillors, independent of party politics, will best serve the communities they represent.
Mark McDonald (SNP)
I have lived in Angus most of my life which, together with my eight years working with Mike Weir MP, has given me a deep understanding of many issues that impact Carnoustie and Angus and the type of casework I will face should I be elected.
I am driven and motivated by helping people and, with the support of a strong SNP group, I’m well placed to be a strong ward councillor.
For me these elections are about representing you. I have no other conflicting interests.
Carnoustie and District has a lot to offer and I will listen to and pursue the issues that matter to you. My contact leaflet has been delivered to every home – please feel free to get in touch.
My manifesto is simple and realistic and will be shaped by you and the issues that you raise with me.
Joanne McFadden (Labour)
I believe passionately that these council elections should be about the things that matter to everyone living locally in Carnoustie and District – protecting and preserving our vital public services, growing our local economy, building more council houses, better local transport, equal rights, fair pay and creating jobs and not about a second divisive independence referendum.
A local of over 20 years, I live in Easthaven with my husband and two daughters and I am employed in project management in Dundee.
An anti-austerity cuts campaigner and keen golfer, I am actively involved in various local Carnoustie and Easthaven community projects and I am currently a Carnoustie community councillor.
A strong, local, female voice for Carnoustie and District, a vote for me on May 4 means you’ll be getting a councillor who will stand firm against any further cuts to education, colleges, social care, physical /mental health services, housing, transport, apprenticeships and jobs.
Beth Morrison (Lib Dem)
Born in Fife I retired to Angus in 2006, after a fabulous 30-year career in travel.
Two of my three children are grown up and my youngest son goes to Carnoustie High School. He has epilepsy and complex learning disabilities.
For the past eight years, I’ve been running the Dundee & Angus Special Needs Children Forum. I am passionate about making sure our most vulnerable are properly looked after in society.
In May 2016, I was honoured by BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities) with an outstanding achievement award for protecting Scotland’s children in schools.
I’m an avid campaigner. Recently I’ve been active in NO2NP, opposing the Scottish Government’s Named Persons scheme.
I believe we need to make health, education and social care a priority.
I joined the Liberal Democrats because they support the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals. I hope voters will trust me to stand up for those beliefs.
Terence O’Halloran (Conservative)
I moved to Scotland after leaving the RAF. I’m married with two children.
I’m an ex-Scout master, civilian instructor air cadets, a member of Brechin Round Table and a member of the SCLT Oil & Gas, safety and workforce representative.
My commitment if I’m elected is to keep the recycling centre open, provide more litter bins near the high school and challenge health care waiting times.
I will be an active member of the community, not a paid guest. I will represent the youth and help develop social responsibilities, challenge parking in the high street and help promote business opportunities.
I hear, act and fight for results. I report back and I challenge. I think this is what Carnoustie would look for in a councillor but also someone who will do the day job, challenge decision’s and work hard for the community.
I do the day job that’s expected of me. I’m a team player.
