AN SNP councillor for North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) has resigned, triggering a by-election for the area.

Councillor Agnes Magowan stepped down from her role as the area’s provost after just three months in the civic post last August due to family health reasons.

It is understood her resignation was confirmed to councillors on Monday, taking immediate effect due to the continued family health reasons.

A date for a by-election will be communicated "in due course". 

The current provost for NLC councillor Kenneth Duffy posted to social media: “I am saddened to hear of Cllr Agy Magowan's decision to resign as a Councillor on North Lanarkshire Council.

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“While we may have had our political differences, her service has undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of many and I wish Agy and her family my very best.”

McGowan has represented Motherwell South-East and Ravenscraig since the local elections in 2022.

Parties have faced off in one by-election in North Lanarkshire this year already, with Labour taking the Bellshill ward seat from the SNP in Humza Yousaf’s first by-election since taking office.

The neighbouring authority of South Lanarkshire also held a by-election in East Kilbride West last month with Labour emerging victorious over SNP again and highly covered campaigning is currently ongoing in the southern UK Parliament seat, Rutherglen and Hamilton West.