The main opposition party on Highland Council last night pledged to be “co-operative and not obstructive”, despite a bad-tempered start to the new term.
SNP members had accused the independents of freezing them out by forming an alliance with LibDem and Labour without talking to them after the election.
But it now seems co-operation will be the watchword, as a leaner and rejuvenated Highland Council today begins a new five-year term.
The new-look administration now have a former head teacher and a world-renowned economist among their ranks, which should make things a little easier when it comes to choosing office bearers.
There are 74 members, down from the previous complement of 80 and a political contrast with the reintroduction of Tories after a 20-year absence.
There are 31 new councillors including the region’s first Green.
Five strategic committees will be cut to three as part of a radical review that is also likely to see a reduction in senior management as part of a package of financial savings.
Lib Dem group leader Alasdair Christie is expected to be appointed deputy leader of the council while Margaret Davidson resumes the job as leader.
Former SNP councillor Bill Lobban is a candidate for council convener, as a recent defector to the independents.
Election defeat for several key independents will mean new appointments in the coming days for budget leader and education chairman to replace Bill Fernie and Drew Millar, respectively.
New Skye independent councillor John Finlayson, a retired head teacher, has said he would relish the role of education chairman.
Alister Mackinnon is a contender for resources committee chairman while new Skye independent member Ronald MacDonald, an economics professor, is likely to be part of the budget team.
The Conservatives scored a surprising 10 successes in this month’s north election, picking up seats from Caithness to Fort William.
However, the surge of blue will not feature in the administration despite early speculation about their members being part of an alliance.
The fourth change of Highland administration within nine years will be formally sworn in comprising 28 independents, 10 Liberal Democrats and three Labour councillors.
The 22-member SNP group is in opposition along with the Conservatives and the Greens’ Pippa Hadley who represents Badenoch and Strathspey.
Speaking yesterday, Maxine Smith of the SNP said: “If voted in as leader of the opposition, I’d like to go forward in a cooperative mode. We’ll challenge and scrutinise wherever we need to but we don’t want to be obstructive.”
Today’s meeting will be brief. The next, on June 1, will have a more meaty agenda.
Argyll and Bute Council, led by a Lib Dem-Tory-independent coalition, also has its first post-election meeting today.
