Leadership positions at Moray Council have finally been filled – nearly three weeks after councillors were elected.
The authority was one of the last in Scotland to agree a coalition partnership with only four of the 32 regions still agreeing coalition deals.
Yesterday independent Forres councillor George Alexander was elected unopposed to the position of leader during the resumption of a full council meeting that was hastily adjourned after just two minutes last week.
Following the chamber talks the new head of the administration revealed six independents had come close to siding with the SNP in the chambers.
However, Mr Alexander explained the Nationalists’ hard-line stance on no compulsory redundancies with council staff as the authority fights to avoid plunging into bankruptcy next year had turned them to the Conservatives.
He said: “I just can’t accept that we can go into a council making that kind of statement.
“I will do everything I can to avoid compulsory redundancies but you can’t tie your hands to that kind of statement from day one – we don’t know what’s going to happen over the next five years.
“We all know the financial situation the council is in at the moment. If we don’t solve the problems than civil servants will be sent from Edinburgh to solve them for us.”
Mr Alexander added that a “reconfiguration” of the school estate, which could lead to closures, would remain on his agenda.
However, he stressed the interests of students were foremost in his mind.
He said: “I want better education for our young people. I don’t even know if it would save money, that’s not why I want to do it.
“The fact is we can’t get enough teachers and it could be solved almost at a stroke.”
Meanwhile Conservative group leader James Allan described his new role as convener as a “great honour and privilege” – 25 years after he joined the council as a relief bus driver.
He added: “I feel we have formed a very strong administration group with lots of experience and knowledge.
“I know it won’t be easy over the next five years given the financial strains but I can only promise to do my best for the people of Moray.”
SNP co-leader Graham Leadbitter vowed to champion causes from his party’s local manifesto benches – including establishing a council-run bus service and a review of the senior management structure.
He added: “Despite the fact we are in opposition we intend to do as much as we can to advance the proposals we campaigned on.
“Everybody knows there are significant financial challenges facing the council but we think there are more reasonable ways to reduce the deficit than through compulsory redundancies.”
