Caithness SNP Councillor Raymond Bremner elected as the leader of Highland Council as Independent group leader Bill Lobban returns as convener sealing the political leadership of the local authority
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Councillor Raymond Bremner has been elected as the first ever leader of Highland Council from Caithness.
That was despite a late challenge from the Liberal Democrats, which saw Alasdair Christie defeated 40 votes to 27 with four abstentions.
He was joined at the top table by Independent coalition colleague Bill Lobban who was returned unopposed as convener.
In his opening address, Cllr Raymond set out a pro-business platform and a determination to avoid a "second Highland Clearances" through depopulation.
He added that "Whilst I may have been voted leader of council this morning, I will do my best for this council but while I do so, you will not be surprised to hear me say that I am a Caithness councillor first and foremost and you will appreciate that it is to them that I owe my first although now equal attention."
Cllr Christie was later elected leader of the opposition.
He said: "We will hold you to account to ensure you put the Highlands ahead of any Central Belt-type politics, and you wouldn't expect anything else."
While Cllr Lobban as convener said: "The winds of change are indeed blowing through this chamber, lets hope that they are a breath of fresh air.
He underlined that the responsibility of all the councillors in the chamber are to help the Highlands to prosper.
He added that recent years have been some of the most difficult times for the Highlands "since the Second World war."
The next Council meeting will take place on June 9 when discussions will take place about how the Council will structure its committees and further appointments of office bearers will also be made.
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