LIB DEM councillor James Calder is the new convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee.

The depute will be Labour's Gordon Pryde, both of whom were elected narrowly by six votes to five at a meeting on Tuesday.

Despite the SNP having the most councillors on the committee – they have five compared to three for Labour, two Lib Dems and a Tory – they were unsuccessful in gaining either of the positions.

Cllr Calder, who represents Dunfermline South, said: "It is an honour and a privilege to be elected as the first area convener for Dunfermline after it has been awarded official city status.

"I know we are going to have an exciting few years ahead of us and, while we have a number of challenges, we also have so many opportunities for the city of Dunfermline.

"I look forward to working with councillors from all parties in supporting our local communities across our city, supporting local businesses in recovering from the effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis as well as supporting our local public services.

"I also want to pay an enormous tribute to my predecessor Helen Law. Helen has worked tirelessly for Dunfermline over the past decade as the local area convener and has done a huge amount to achieve our city status."

Cllr Pryde, who represents the Dunfermline North ward, said he was "honoured and thrilled" to be elected as depute.

He added: "Gaining city status for Dunfermline will enhance the profile of Dunfermline and will bring many economic and cultural opportunities.

"I would also like to record my sincere thanks to Councillor Helen Law and all who worked alongside her in the task of successfully achieving city status. I am eager to be involved in the next stage of securing the benefits that our new status can provide."

And Conservative councillor Gavin Ellis explained why he gave the duo his backing.

He said: "It was clear during my campaign that residents wanted councillors who would focus on improving the services they rely on and not national politics.

"To honour those wishes, I decided I should speak to all parties before reaching a decision on what I felt would be best, not only for Dunfermline North, but our city as a whole.

"I have spoken to the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dems and, during those discussions, felt that both the Labour group and the Lib Dems were more in line with my priorities.”

Cllr Ellis added that he wanted to see more parking facilities, including electric vehicle charging points, along with improvements in community facilities and housing and work to attract businesses into the city and revive what was a "thriving" night-time economy.

Following the meeting, SNP Dunfermline Central councillors, Jean Hall Muir and Derek Glen, issued a joint statement which said: "To have city status represents a fabulous win for Dunfermline but achieving this accolade cannot be the end of the story – if anything, it's just the start.

"We want to see a real bold action plan with funding to support our city's unstinting ambition. We need to concentrate on our wonderful heritage but also bring investment into the city centre and some of the industrial and commercial parks around Dunfermline, to create jobs and a bright future for all our citizens."