Moray Council’s Conservative and SNP groups remain locked in a battle for power as they each try to persuade Independent councillors to join forces with them.
The representatives voted in during Friday’s local authority elections spent much of their first day on the job in tense negotiations about the leadership of the council yesterday.
Nine SNP members and eight Conservatives were elected, along with eight Independents and one Labour candidate.
It is understood that three of the Independents – first-time councillors Derek Ross, Ryan Edwards and Sandy Cooper – are determined not to align themselves with any group.
The Conservatives believe they might have the upper hand in luring the five returning councillors into a coalition, because all of them served on the previous ruling Independent and Tory led administration.
But the co-leaders of the council’s SNP group, Graham Leadbitter and Shona Morrison, are determined to win over some of their opponents.
Mr Leadbitter said: “We are having ongoing discussions with individual councillors, the numbers don’t stack up well for either ourselves or the Tories at the minute.
“We will aim to persuade the Independent councillors that the authority needs the sort of stability and direction that only we can offer.
“I hope they are pragmatic, and approach discussions with an open mind.”
Heldon and Laich councillor, John Cowe, is acting as the leader of the authority’s eight Independent members during any talks.
After being voted in on Friday, Mr Cowe indicated that he was keen to resume his position as chairman of the economic development committee.
The Conservatives have increased their number on Moray Council from three to eight, but the group has yet to decide its leader.
Tory councillor, Marc Macrae, said Mr Cowe was “holding the balance of power at the moment”.
The Fochabers Lhanbryde representative added: “The full council meeting is next Wednesday, so this could be a gradual process.”
Labour councillor, John Divers, said he had been approached by the SNP, but not by the Conservative group.
The Elgin City South member said he would be open to negotiations with both groups.
He said: “I have notified the SNP group of my terms, and I’m just waiting to hear back from them now.”
