Home   News   Article

Bid to form new administration as negotiations continue


By Scott Maclennan

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Raymond Bremner is the SNP group leader.
Raymond Bremner is the SNP group leader.

Horse-trading is under way as top councillors bid to thrash out a deal to form the new political administration of Highland Council.

The newly elected leaders of each of the political groups were remaining tight-lipped yesterday as negotiations took place behind closed doors.

Privately, some members have told the Northern Times that the SNP and Independent groups are in talks to form an administration.

But a number of Independent councillors are unhappy at the prospect of joining the SNP in a coalition and could leave the group if a deal is struck.

That complicates negotiations, as any arrangement would need to reach a minimum of 38 for a working majority in the 74-member council chambers.

There is no detail yet of when a deal might be struck to form a coalition in the wake of last Thursday’s local authority elections.

One of those heavily involved in the discussions is former council convener Bill Lobban, who has been elected as Independent group leader.

He will be keen to secure a high-profile role in the new administration if the Independents can thrash out a deal.

The SNP, led by Councillor Raymond Bremner, is the largest single group with 22 members.

Independent councillors number 21 but not all of them have signed up to be led by Councillor Bill Lobban.

That raises the stock of the Liberal Democrats, with Inverness Ness-side member Alasdair Christie at the helm, and the Greens, led by Aird and Loch Ness councillor Chris Ballance.

Both could hold the power as potential king-makers, with the Liberal Democrats' 15 members and the first ever Green group emerging with four members.

The Conservatives have 10 seats in the chamber and are looking to cooperate with other groups under the joint leadership of councillors Struan Mackie and Helen Crawford.

An announcement could come at any time but the talks could run well into next week before any deal is struck.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More