Highland Council’s new minority Independent administration has made a bid to join forces with all eight non party-political councillors.
Recently elected Independent group leader – and council leader elect – Margaret Davidson extended the invitation to the five-member “Highland Alliance”, as well as to her former Independent colleagues Carolyn Wilson and Jaci Douglas and former Liberal Democrat member Linda Munro.
Acceptance would mean a 40-40 balance, leaving just the Lib Dems, SNP and Labour in opposition.
Mrs Davidson said: “The eight will agree with us on many things. We invite them to come and sit with us and to help run the council. Our door is open.”
Last night Highland Alliance spokesman Drew Millar said he had received no formal offer but was happy to back the Independents on most issues.
However, neither he nor councillor Wilson sounded keen to join the administration.
Mr Millar said: “We are happy to support the minority administration as much as possible without officially signing up to that. We are not a group that will be whipped into any position.”
Ex-Independent group leader Carolyn Wilson said: “We’re happy to support what the group is doing, but separately. For me, it will be on an issue-by-issue basis.”
Councillors Douglas and Munro, who are also currently “non aligned”, could not be contacted yesterday.
Mrs Munro quit the Lib Dems when they terminated the coalition, claiming it was best for her constituents that she stood alone.
A specially arranged meeting will be held on Thursday to formalise the agreement that a minority administration is formed to run the council.
The announcement ended a turbulent eight days and followed inter-party discussions over possible coalitions, none of which bore fruit.
The drama was triggered by the Liberal Democrat group ending its three-year pact with the SNP and Labour due to their fundamental and long-held differences with the nationalists.
Senior positions under the new arrangement are expected to be confirmed on Thursday.
It is understood Aird and Loch Ness councillor Helen Carmichael could become Inverness Provost, replacing Lib Dem Alec Graham, while Black Isle member Isobel McCallum is tipped to become council convener.
Newly elected SNP group leader Maxine Smith said: “We are happy to support the new administration when we can, but where we disagree we will do so.”