Ross-shire councillor slams carve-up
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A ROW has broken out following the carve-up of top jobs in the new Highland Council administration.
Ross-shire councillor Carolyn Wilson, who leads the Independents, the biggest group on the authority, hit out after the plum convener's post went to Jimmy Gray - the leader of the Labour group, which only has eight members.
Slamming the way leading roles for councillors were divvied up, the Cromarty Firth ward member said that the voice of the Highland people had been crushed by party political manoeuvring.
Highland Council today elected its three most senior members to lead a new Administration comprising members of the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Labour Party.
Tensions have simmered since the "rainbow alliance" deal was hammered out, with Independent councillors claiming they've been frozen out - against the will of voters.
Leader of the Council is Councillor Drew Hendry (SNP), one of four ward members for Aird and Loch Ness. Elected to The Highland Council in 2007, he is also leader of the SNP Group on the Council.
Deputy leader is Councillor David Alston (Liberal Democrat), who is one of four members for Black Isle Ward. He has served on the Council since 1999.
Convener is Councillor Jimmy Gray, (Labour) one of three members representing Inverness Millburn.
Councillor Gray will chair meetings of the Highland Council and be the civic head of the Council. He served as Provost of Inverness between 2008-2012.
Councillor Wilson said: "The fact the Convenor’s role, the most prestigious and visible within the Council, has gone to the leader of a group which has only 10 per cent of the elected councillors shows the new administration’s disregard for the wishes of the people.
"The Administration weren’t even organised enough this morning to have someone ready to second Jimmy Gray as Convenor and it was only after a pregnant pause and some embarrassment did someone finally second his proposal which I feel shows the lack of conviction from the members of the new coalition.
“Luckily as the largest group of elected members in the Highlands, we have the moral authority to listen to the voice of the people and will do our utmost to ensure their needs and wishes are always out before any party political gains.”
It was the first meeting of the 80-strong Council following the elections on May 3. They will serve for five years.
Other office-bearers will be elected at the next Council meeting on May 31, when the committee structure is agreed.
Councillor Hendry said: “This is an historic time, our parties have agreed to put political differences aside to work together on a positive vision for the Highlands and its people.
"We will work to support jobs and families through the challenges ahead and will seek to make the most of the many opportunities that the future holds for the Highlands.”
Councillor Alston said: “I believe that together we will take a business-like approach to the challenges we face and that each group will bring its own qualities to the task of running the Council. Building the future of the Highlands will require determination, vision and creativity – and our team has the range of talent and ability to make that possible.”
Councillor Gray said: “There is no doubt that there will be some difficult choices to be made in the years ahead and all elected members of Highland Council will need to be fully committed to deliver the best possible services from the resources available. This administration will have social justice fairness and equity as its core values.”
