Carnoustie councillor urges council leader to ‘go now’

Angus Council’s leader has been told to “go now”.

The message came from Carnoustie independent councillor David Cheape after it was revealed a “stormy” closed doors meeting of the ruling coalition administration had resulted in a vote of no confidence in Bob Myles’ leadership.

Fellow independent Mr Myles will be stepping down as leader in the summer.

However, Mr Cheape said there was no point in prolonging his departure.

He said: “Having no longer any confidence in their leader and having taken the decision to put him out to graze, why on earth would the ruling Angus administration be content to sit on their hands and permit him to retain his current role until July of this year?

“They should act speedily to replace him, at least with an interim leader, as time is not on this council’s side.”

Mr Cheape said he was amazed to learn Mr Myles had reportedly found it difficult to juggle the full-time role of farming with the full-time role of being leader of the council.

“When I sought to have council and committee meetings changed to times that would better accommodate elected members who try to hold down full time careers with the demands of council duties, he, along with the rest of the Angus administration voted me and other councillors down,” he pointed out.

“Hopefully, a change in leadership will engender common sense on all sides, with the removal of the old guard who are reticent to change and place those with the best-suited talents at the head of convenorships.