RENFREWSHIRE’S only Liberal Democrat councillor is to retire after 34 years of public service.

Eileen McCartin was first elected to Renfrew District Council in 1988 as member for the Stanely ward and has represented the wider Paisley Southwest area since 2007.

Now she has announced she will step down ahead of the local elections in May, insisting it is time to “make way for younger and fitter councillors.”

“It has been my life’s privilege to represent my area for 34 years,” said Councillor McCartin. “I have represented my area in the same way as other Liberal Democrats have done the length and breadth of Scotland by being local, working on local issues and ensuring local people have the right to good representation.

“I also feel I have made some contribution to the wider representation within the council.

“One of my most positive recent contributions was bringing forward the council’s climate change activities, in particular the agreement by the council to aim for a carbon-neutral target of 2030, not 2045 or 2050 as our respective government targets are.”

The Scottish Government wants to be net-zero by 2045, while Westminster has a target of 2050.

Councillor McCartin has been a member of the climate change sub-committee, which was formed after the council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and has consistently pushed for action to ensure Renfrewshire reaches its more ambitious target.

Councillor Andy Doig, who serves as an independent, said she has made an “outstanding” contribution to Renfrewshire.

“Eileen has been a great beacon in Renfrewshire over the last 40 years, which includes periods in the late 80s when the Lib Dems were in the ascendancy and times when they were not,” he added.

The Lib Dem group is now finalising its candidates for the local elections and these will be announced in the coming weeks.