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SNP take control of Aberdeenshire Council

Cllrs Martin Kitts-Hayes, Jim Gifford and Hamish Vernal
Cllrs Martin Kitts-Hayes, Jim Gifford and Hamish Vernal

The SNP have seized control of Aberdeenshire Council.

The group called a special meeting of the full council after four members of the authority quit last month amid claims the administration – the Aberdeenshire Alliance – was becoming increasingly Tory-led.

Today, the SNP successfully moved for Provost Jill Webster and deputy provost Norman Smith to be removed.

Tributes were paid to Ms Webster’s work over the last three years, with the administration claiming “personal political agendas” should not stand in the way of her civic duties.

Banchory councillor Ms Webster admitted it felt like a “stab in the back” and said residents of Aberdeenshire did not want the council to be “marred in skullduggery”.

However, the SNP’s motion for Ms Webster and Mr Smith to be replaced was carried 34 to 32.

SNP group leader Hamish Vernal has been appointed as the new provost, with West Garioch councillor Allison Grant now deputy.

The council is now appointing the new chair and vice-chairs of the various committees, with two high profile victims including councillors Jim Gifford and Peter Argyle, who have lost their role as chairmen of policy and resources and infrastructure services respectively.