Larkhall residents can vote for a new Councillor to represent us on Thursday 9 July 2026.
Larkhall Plan Partnership created a manifesto based on what residents told us matters to them in our surveys. We sent this manifesto to the four by-election candidates and invited them to chat about the key points from the manifesto as well as their ambitions and commitments if elected.
Chris Roarty is the Labour candidate.
Will you work cross-party for the benefit of Larkhall residents?
Aye I’m 100% on board with working cross-party with anybody when there’s a common goal. I’ve done so in the past with my professional career where there’s a level to work constructively and local government and central government we should be able to work together for the interests of the people of Larkhall.
Do you support an open spaces strategy to improve our green spaces?
I’m all for protecting and utilising green spaces, for mental health and physical wellness as well. It’s important that we do maintain what we’ve got, but it’s also important that we bring in infrastructure that helps people to get out, enjoy the fresh air and also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Larkhall and the villages.
Will you support long term sustainable funding for the third sector?
I fully recognise and appreciate what you’re saying about the third sector and I agree that there are aspects where the third sector gets overlooked by a lot of areas of business and government and I appreciate that in some cases you’re not seen as being serious when you’re delivering that key frontline service for people.
You can see the investment in what happens here and it’s everywhere in Larkhall. I’ve attended VASLan conferences in the past. I’ve listened to what they’ve said, and I’m fully aware of the challenges facing the third sector and I’ll definitely fight to make sure that the third sector gets the recognition that it deserves.
Will you support local businesses in our town?
I think one of the biggest challenges for local businesses in Larkhall, and across South Lanarkshire and Scotland, is the fact that business rates have skyrocketed due to policy setting in Holyrood. I think there’s definitely a case that this could be looked at and local businesses and shops, restaurants, can the business rates can be looked at and we can maybe review the whole way that it works and bring in something that works for a lot of working people and the businesses.
In terms of age priorities, I believe that in Larkhall and the villages there’s a great opportunity for people to bring up their families, for people living and retiring here, for people even to come here. Obviously, the Clydesdale and Clyde Valley area of South Lanarkshire has great history and it’s a tourist attraction. There’s definitely a great hub here to attract that tourism and bring it into the community here and then we can see investment.
Do you support an upgraded running track?
I’m 100% open to listen to any suggestions on what should be featured for the leisure centre in the future. I appreciate obviously with phase one you’ve had some challenges there for the running track, but while there’s phase two, or there’s any opportunity where the Council can propose and support it, I’d be willing to take it on board.
Do you support our employability programme to help people take steps into work?
Employability is obviously a big challenge right across the country, especially in communities across Lanarkshire and there needs to be as many opportunities for people to volunteer to help them get that confidence to get into work.
There’s also a key challenge in how we get those measures in place to encourage people to get the confidence to get into volunteering that’ll then lead them into work.
I think there’s a massive challenge after COVID particularly with young people where their mental health hasn’t been great during their time in school, and there’s a disadvantage there. So it’s one of the things I care most about is making sure that young people get the confidence to get into work and get a good pay and skilled job.
Do you support local businesses partnering with Larkhall Academy to create opportunities for pupils?
I think things like work experience programmes in school are very important, especially getting local businesses and local organisations involved with that. I think local jobs and local businesses are still key for a lot of young people that are leaving school that want to get into summer jobs or if they want a part-time job, these opportunities on the doorstep and where there’s ways that we can support kids in education in employment and getting into employment, I am all for that.