The man appointed to spearhead Moray Council’s drive to improve the region’s financial fortunes believes he has “unfinished business”.
Heldon and Laich councillor John Cowe reassumed his role yesterday as chairman of the authority’s economic development committee.
The independent member was at the forefront of projects run by the council for the last five years, including devising a multimillion-pound “city deal” funding bid for Moray to create hundreds of jobs.
Mr Cowe said: “There’s a lot of work still to be done. I’ve been speaking to a lot of businesses and there are a lot of positive things going on.
“The city deal is one of those things. There’s still another 18 months worth of work to do on that.
“I’m delighted to be back in the job and looking forward to getting on with the challenges that are in front of us.”
Mr Cowe has taken his place in the council administration with four independent colleagues.
The group have now been joined in power by Heldon and Laich councillor Ryan Edwards – despite insisting he would not join forces with anyone.
Mr Edwards initially denied having talks with the Conservatives when approached by the Press and Journal, but yesterday revealed he had done so after “a lot of soul searching”.
He said: “Moves had to be made in order to align this council and get a working administration.
“I was never going to be part of a minority administration and, by joining with the other independent councillors, we ensure a majority administration is in place, without which the council would have effectively been in limbo until after the July by-election.”
