A leading Highland councillor has called for a debate on the creation of a separate Inverness city council after his views on the issue ruffled some SNP group colleagues.
With the Highland capital continuing to grow at a significant rate every year, Councillor Richard Laird voiced support for a smaller local authority managing the Highland capital’s affairs.
But the idea apparently raised eyebrows among some members of the local SNP group of which he is deputy leader.
Its leader, Councillor Maxine Smith said: “I was surprised to read the article from my depute group leader and have to make it very clear that he does not speak with any authority from the group on this matter.
“This issue has not been discussed within the council’s SNP Group. We have therefore no current view on the matter. It may be something that we wish to have on our agenda at a later date, but we would not discuss Inverness in isolation and would give due and equal respect and consideration to the whole of the Highlands.”
But yesterday Mr Laird stood by his comments.
He said he had believed that Inverness city should have its own council for several years.
He said: “My personal opinion is that we should have a national debate on local government.
“Highland Council should be dissolved and replaced by a smaller council.
“The city council should be able to raise the majority of its own income and should have powers that are held by quangos and public bodies.”
But he added that he felt services such as social work would be better dealt with pan-Highland.
Calls for a debate about the idea of an Inverness city council have been increasing over the past few months, particularly after the independent group became the ruling administration.
When the group launched their manifesto in August, council leader Margaret Davidson, an independent, said that a debate on the issue of an Inverness council was needed.