Trio build new council coalition

A special meeting will be convened to ratify the new coalition

Highland Council is set for a new ruling coalition made up of Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour members.

Negotiating teams for the three groups reached agreement on Thursday night. However, the deal has still to be ratified by their members.

The talks were sparked by the SNP's split from the Independents.

Nationalist councillors have formally resigned senior positions held within the local authority.

Independent, Liberal Democrat and Labour leaders have agreed a system which they said should take the council through the next four years.

New post

It will mean splitting the top job between existing convener Sandy Park and the new leader of the council, Michael Foxley.

Existing committee chairs will remain the same, but Liberal Democrat Iain Ross is expected to take over at planning.

An additional committee for environmental affairs will be set up, and Liberal Democrat David Alston will get a new post in charge of council budgets.

It is expected that Labour councillor Jimmy Gray will become provost of Inverness, although that is a decision for the city committee.

The members of the three groups will be informed over the weekend and a special meeting of the council will be convened to ratify the new coalition before August.

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