SNP councillor makes history with appointment to top job at Cosla

An SNP councillor has been appointed to the top role in local government body Cosla for the first time in the organisation’s history.

Shona Morrison, a Moray councillor, was elected as 16th president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities – known as Cosla – following a meeting in Edinburgh yesterday.

The post has traditionally been held by Scottish Labour councillors.

Ms Morrison said: “I am honoured to be elected president of Cosla and excited to take on this opportunity.

“I look forward to continuing the progress which has already been made on a cross-party basis over the last fiveyear term.

“I am clear about the pressures faced by local government and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“This is an important job and a challenge I will relish and give my all to.

“I am a politician and a member of a political party; however, my focus in this role will be on the ‘team local government’.”

The appointment comes amid significant financial strain on councils in Scotland as budgets are set to be frozen across the next five years.

In addition, public service workers, such as school and cleansing staff, have threatened industrial actions due to ongoing pay disputes with Cosla.

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservative local government spokesman, said: “This is another hammer blow to Scotland’s savagely underfunded councils.

“Until now, Cosla has been rightly vocal in calling out the sustained and systematic budget cuts local authorities have been handed year after year by the SNP government.

“It’s hard to see that continuing with an SNP councillor as president. I fear Shona Morrison will prove to be just the sort of lackey Nicola Sturgeon wants in charge – someone who will meekly accept unfair funding deals and not dare to criticise her government for imposing them.”

SNP national campaign director Kelly Parry said Ms Morrison will bring “strong leadership” to the organisation.

Shona Morrison.