Humza Yousaf welcomes SNP takeover of Argyll and Bute
SCOTLAND’S First Minister has welcomed the change in administration at Argyll and Bute Council - but deposed councillors have warned of “chaos” to come.
Humza Yousaf shared his “delight” after his SNP colleagues led a successful challenge for control of the local authority on Thursday, April 4.
Mr Yousaf, SNP leader, didn’t mention the the other parties whose councillors voted in favour of the new regime - including one Labour councillor, one Green, three independents, and even one councillor who was elected as a Conservative in 2022.
In a post on X, previously Twitter, Mr Yousaf referred to TALIG as the “opposition” and said: “Delighted that my SNP colleagues will now be leading Argyll and Bute Council.
“Particularly given opposition mismanagement which culminated in the local authority threatening to impose a 10 per cent rise in council tax on households in the midst of a cost of living crisis.”
But one councillor from the deposed TALIG administration has warned of “chaos” ahead after the new regime opted to leave all policy lead posts, along with the committee chair posts and appointments to outside bodies, vacant until the next regular full council meeting on April 25.
Councillor Graham Hardie (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh Central) said: “I am very disappointed that the council administration came to an end due to a cut of the cards.
“It had done a good job, for example the recent success of negotiating an extra £2.3 million from the Scottish Government.
“The last time the SNP took over the council it ended in chaos after less than a year. Now they’ve plunged the council into chaos straight away by leaving all the political posts vacant for three weeks.”
Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North), said he wanted to thank council staff for their support of him and his constituents.
He told the Advertiser: “I have enjoyed my two years as Provost, dealing with as many constituents as possible, and I look forward to doing it again.
“I have been very proud to be a member of TALIG. They have done a wonderful job in difficult circumstances. The plan was not just short term but long term.”
Councillor Gemma Penfold said it was the TALIG administration’s decision to increase council tax by 10 per cent in February that resulted in the council securing more cash from the Scottish Government.
Cllr Penfold (Conservative, Helensburgh and Lomond South), said: “I am a big believer in ‘what’s for you won’t go by you’, so I wish the new administration the best of luck and I will continue to carry on doing just as I have been for the last two years and try to be the best voice I can for my constituents.
“I understand that some people have a negative view on the council tax situation and that point of view has put us in this position but I stand by my original decision which, despite what many people may think, was made to ensure vital services and jobs were not cut further and protection was given to the coming years for the council’s services.”
Councillor Mark Irvine (Independent, Lomond North), who is now on the administration side, said: “It was a tough day which produced the right result, albeit a very close thing, and I’m looking forward to working closely with like-minded colleagues to improve the outcomes for local residents in our communities.
“It is why I stood for election two years ago. Councillor Jim Lynch summed it up perfectly in his motion when he set out his vision of how the Strategic Partnership move forwards.”
Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) said: “It has been an honour to serve as depute leader and lead the finance and commercial services portfolio for the last seven years. I am proud of what we have achieved.
“This administration’s last act was secure an extra £2.3m from the Scottish Government, that will allow the council to freeze the council tax. Only by standing up to the SNP government were we able to get them to the negotiating table.
“If had been left to the then opposition, they would have rolled over and we would worse off.”
“It was particularly galling that the only Labour councillor, our own local Fiona Howard, voted to make it so.
“I am sure that will stick in throats for many Labour supporters and unionists.”