The leadership of Aberdeenshire Council could be dramatically restructured as part of the SNP’s efforts to seize control of the administration.
Councillors will meet on Monday for a special meeting, during which members are expected to vote in a partnership of the SNP, Labour and two Independents as the new governing body.
Senior SNP figures were staying tight-lipped on who will emerge in the top positions, but it is understood a deal for “co-leadership” is under consideration.
In a report to councillors released in advance of the showdown meeting, the local authority’s senior legal adviser Karen Wiles lays out the different options open to members, including formally electing a replacement for current council leader Jim Gifford, removing the position of leader altogether, or creating a shared post.
Ms Wiles concludes: “Members should consider whether it is now appropriate to make provision for co-leaders.”
Last night SNP group leader Hamish Vernal said: “There are a significant number of chairmen and vice-chairmen to be consulted, issues to be resolved and so on.
“All things are possible – we take as our bedrock the best interest of Aberdeenshire Council residents and that blend of experience and skills that we have in order to put forward the best team that we can to meet the roles and responsibilities.”
Former deputy leader councillor Martin Kitts-Hayes stood down to form the new Progressive Alliance alongside councillor Sheena Lonchay and Labour councillors Alison Evison and Raymond Christie, who also quit the administration last month.
On the issue of co-leadership, Mr Kitts-Hayes continued: “There are issues about equality and job sharing. There are opportunities for us to look at the leader role – can we job share the leader role?
“There’ll be a new administration and maybe a change in the way we do things.”
North Kincardine councillor Mrs Evison, said the Progressive Alliance would be “standing for more open and transparent engagement with communities across Aberdeenshire” if a new administration were to be formed on Monday.
She added: “We want to focus on residents and their needs and have decisions based on fairness and equality.”
The special meeting of Aberdeenshire Council will be held at Woodhill House at 10.15am on Monday.