Independent councillors join forces with Tories to run council

Moray Council: Talks conclude over new coalition group.

A coalition has been formed between independent councillors and the Scottish Conservatives to run a north-east council.

Ten independent councillors have joined forces with three Tory representatives to form a new coalition to run Moray Council.

Talks on who would run the administration began soon after the local council election results were announced on Friday last week.

Moray residents elected ten independent councillors and ten SNP councillors, with the Tories and Labour each taking three seats.

On Wednesday morning, a council spokesman confirmed the new independent/Tory administration.

Councillor Stewart Cree has been chosen as convenor of the new administration, while a new post has been created in place of the former role of deputy convener. That will now be known as the 'Leader of the Council' with Tory councillor Allan Wright being selected for the role.

The news means little change for Moray Council which had been run by an independent/Tory leadership for the past five years.

New council leader, Allan Wright, said: "I am glad that less than a week after the election we have been able to form an administration group to take Moray Council forward for the next five years.

"The independent/Conservative coalition administration group is very similar in make-up to the previous council, which saw many benefits delivered for Moray communities. We are determined to build on that track record.

"However, at the same time the challenge that lies ahead is the widening gap in the demands for services and the cash resources available to meet them."

The leaders of the council's committees have also been decided.

Moray Council will feature three female committee chairs, a record number for the local authority.

Anne Skene will head up the children and young people committee, while Anne Mackay takes on health and social care and Fiona Murdoch will lead the economic development and infrastructure committee.

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