Green member welcomes the new administration
Stirling Council’s sole Green councillor has welcomed the fact that the authority now has an administration.
While not part of the new Labour/ SNP alliance at the council, Alasdair Tollemache said he still looked forward to working with fellow councillors across the parties in a positive way.
And he hopes they will take on board some issues the Greens have been been aiming to drive forward.
“I consider that this gives a chance for progressive policies to be pursued by the new council,”said Councillor Tollemache.“I look forward to working with others on some key areas including the involvement of the third sector as genuine partners in the delivery of services, the introduction of 20mph across the urban areas, council contracts with third sector providers including budget provision for the payment of the living wage, creating a private tenants forum and implementing real sustainable transport.”
As revealed in the Observer’s edition on May 26, a full meeting of the council saw SNP councillors recently put a fiery five years of political rows behind them to form a majority administration with SNP councillor Scott Farmer elected council leader and Labour’s Danny Gibson depute leader.
Labour’s Christine Simpson was named the new Stirling Provost, elected unanimously with support from fellow councillors across all the political parties. Provost Simpson, who is married to former Labour MSP and Bridge of Allan GP Richard Simpson, was first elected to Stirling Council in 2012. She held the portfolio for social care and health in the previous administration.
SNP councillor Graham Houston, a former council leader, was elected vice-convener. He will preside over council meetings if Provost Simpson is unavailable and can deputise for her in a civic capacity.
Four bailies were also agreed, all of them newly-elected councillors. The SNP’s Evelyn Tweed, Conservative Brian Flannagan, Labour’s Chris Kane and Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache will take on the non-political roles, and can also deputise for Provost Simpson at events.