The Conservative Group on Moray Council are proposing a radical shake-up of the leadership of the council.
The Group is proposing a cabinet system of government designed to streamline decision-making and facilitate a programme of modernisation. This follows the publication of a damning report by Audit Scotland on the council’s performance and the resignation from the SNP Group of one of its councillors leaving the Conservatives, the council’s largest group.
The group are keen to use this opportunity to seek administration in order to bring a renewed focus on change.
Commenting is leader of the Conservative group Cllr Tim Eagle (Buckie Ward);
“There is no doubt our recovery from Coronavirus must continue to be our number one priority moving forward, especially with what looks like a worrying winter ahead. However it is very difficult to ignore the very concerning best value report which cited concerns over educational attainment and performance in health and social care amongst other areas. Whilst COVID-19 recovery must remain a priority we must also ensure the council has the structure in place to allow clear and decisive leadership and decision making.”
“The SNPs time in administration has largely been wasted with very little achieved. Moreover they have completely failed to put any pressure on their colleagues at Holyrood to give Moray a fair financial deal.
“We need change and feel that as the largest group we are best placed to lead, but we would rely on the support of other councillors if we are going to get anywhere as we lack a majority on our own,
“The Conservative group wish to ensure that education, the economy and the environment are key priorities ensuring the public voice is a key component of change moving forward."
“We have that opportunity now and we wish to grasp it. The recent best value report raised strong decision making and strong leadership as very important. To that end we have made the suggestion that Moray council review its core governance structure to a model widely used by the SNP and Labour across other councils in Scotland. It brings clear leadership, strong decision making and most important of all clear scrutiny and performance monitoring roles for opposition councillors.
“We have sought the views of other councillors and whilst some have responded positively, unsurprisingly the SNP have again harked back to the divisions of the past and attacked a model which is widely used by their own party. Despite this we continue to seek talks with other Councillors as we develop our proposals."
