THE new Cowdenbeath Area Committee convener has stated it's a "great privilege" to be appointed to the role.

Labour's Cowdenbeath councillor Alex Campbell is the new convener of the committee, replacing Cllr Linda Erskine, who has becomes deputy convener.

Speaking to the Times, Cllr Campbell stated: "It’s a great privilege and honour to be elected as the chair of Cowdenbeath Area Committee.

"I will work hard with my fellow area councillors to deliver for the area.

"We must help families in poverty, help with cost of living crisis, work on helping communities deliver projects; for example, Crossgates Community Trust delivering the community hub at Humbug Park.

"We need to work with education officers at both high schools (Beath and Lochgelly HS) and primary schools, and encourage businesses to continue to deliver into the area."

Cllr Campbell was voted convener by 39 votes to 34, ahead of SNP Cowdenbeath councillor Alie Bain.

Cllr Erskine was also voted deputy by the same voting outcome, ahead of SNP Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty councillor Rosemary Liewald.

The appointments were made at Thursday's full Fife Council meeting following a tie vote when the local councillors last met online a fortnight ago.

Cllr Campbell and Cllr Bain were both nominated and each received four votes.

Cllr Campbell was nominated by Cllr Erskine, seconded by Cllr Mary Lockhart, and also backed by Cllr Campbell himself, and Cllr Darren Watt.

Cllr Bain was nominated by Cllr Bailey-Lee Robb, seconded by Cllr Liewald, and also backed by Cllr Bain himself, and Cllr Lea McLelland.