Council convener and leader appointed as coalition confirmed

Moray Council’s new administration is a Conservative/Independent coalition, it has been confirmed.

The eight-strong group of Conservative councillors have entered into a formal agreement with six of the seven Independent councillors elected earlier this month.

Elected members reconvened this morning after the first meeting of the new council was adjourned last week to allow more discussions to take place with a view to forming an administration.

The new council convener is Heldon and Laich councillor James Allan, who served in the last administration along with the new council leader, Councillor George Alexander (Forres).

Chairing his first meeting as convener, Councillor Allan said the appointment was a great privilege and honour.

“I feel we have formed a very strong administration group with lots of experience and knowledge to bring to the chambers,” he said.

“I know it won’t be easy over the next five years given the financial strains, but I can only promise to do my best for the people of Moray.”

Today’s meeting also saw chairs and deputy chairs appointed to the council’s various standing committees.

Appointments include:

Policy and resources committee: Chair – Councillor Alexander, deputy chair – Councillor Allan.

Children and young people’s services committee: Chair – Councillor Tim Eagle, deputy chair – Councillor Frank Brown.

Communities committee: Chair – Councillor Lorna Creswell, deputy chair – Councillor Donald Gatt.

Economic development and infrastructure services committee: Councillor John Cowe, deputy chair – Councillor Walter Wilson.

Planning and regulatory services committee: Councillor Claire Feaver, deputy chair – Councillor Walter Wilson.

Licensing committee: Chair – Councillor Gordon Cowie, deputy chair – Councillor Ron Shepherd.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.