‘Fresh ideas’ are to come for Perthshire

Talks are under way to form a new coalition administration for Perth and Kinross Council.

A team is being assembled after the result of Friday’s local government election, which saw the Tories become the area’s biggest political party.

They took 17 of the available 40 seats – up from 10 at the 2012 election – while the SNP slipped from 17 to 15.

Negotiations began at the weekend but the wrangling could continue for several days.

The council was previously led by a minority SNP administration.

Peter Barrett, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “We have had preliminary talks with both the SNP and Tories over the weekend.

“We have outlined our list of priorities for the new council and we have agreed to pick up these discussions on Monday.

“I don’t think we’re going to see an announcement on the new administration for a few days.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Wilson, who was reelected with the most number of first preference votes (2,417) added: “Our new council is going to be very different.

“We will see a lot of new faces and with that, some new dynamics and fresh ideas.”

He said: “I don’t think we can take the results of the council vote as a reflection of what is going to happen at the general election.”

Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “The result was something of a mixed bag for the SNP but it was great we were able to pick up two more councillors in the city wards.”

He stressed that his party had no intention of working with the Tories.

Local Conservative leader Ian Campbell said: “We will now have to sit down with one or two other groups on the council and see if we can form an administration – one that works for all the people of Perth and Kinross.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Peter Barrett.