Big changes at the Town House as a move to split the civic and political leader roles is tabled that would see one councillor become Provost of Inverness and another become the city leader but opposition voices worry about the local committee becoming 'top heavy'

The new Highland Council administration has tabled a plan to split the civic and political roles at Inverness Town House which would see one councillor become Provost but another become the city leader.

Tomorrow, the Inverness Committee will decide which councillors take on the respective roles that are two of the most powerful and important in the city but it could meet with opposition amid concerns the committee was becoming "top heavy."

In the last term under the now retired Helen Carmichael the roles were combined with the Provost attending civic events in Inverness and elsewhere while at the same time steering policy through the committee.

But Inverness members are notoriously quarrelsome with huge amounts of investment up for grabs and sharp political divisions so it is felt that being both provost with literally hundreds of events to attend a year as well as heading the city’s political leadership could be asking too much of one person.

That paves the way for a potential clash as the SNP-Independent administration does not hold a majority on the 23-member committee. Currently, the there are only 10 SNP and aligned-independent members.

Also stoking the flames was a move at a full council meeting to move the meeting from Friday to Wednesday despite the objections of a number of councillors as some privately speculated that it was somehow a political ploy.

That could incite the 13 opposition councillors to try and put their own people in position instead of those from the SNP-Independent coalition but it is as yet not known how the two Greens councillors will vote which could tip the balance.

Now with the positions set to be decided deputy leader of the SNP group and Inverness South Councillor Ken Gowans hopes the rationale for dividing the roles and will see the SNP-led political leadership take control in Inverness.

“It is a perfectly sensible proposal given that both the roles of Provost and city leader are very demanding,” he said.

“Currently, the Provost may have to attend upwards of 250 events a year – at the same time as representing the city’s interests across Scotland.

“There is also a consideration that vital events where attendance is essential could clash, it only makes sense to split the roles. It is not the first time this has happened as it was previously done and worked well between 2012 and 2015.

“Many other cities follow the same format, for good reason.”

Also to be decided on Wednesday is whether to create the new post of depute leader plus appointing a member to take on the role if agree, and the appointments of two depute provosts – in all six positions.

That has led some to feel that the committee is top heavy compared to the previous term, including the leader of the opposition in council and Inverness Ness-side Liberal Democrat Councillor Alasdair Christie.

He believes the most important thing is to get the right person in the job or jobs and there is still room to have one person taking on both roles.

“On face value it seems to be top heavy but in principle I have no objection to dividing the roles of Provost and city leader.

“There could be a good person for a combined role in theory too and that is a possibility.”

Asked if the opposition councillors could get their own person appointed, he said: “I would imagine the Greens would side with the SNP in this but I hope that they vote for the better person on the day.”

The committee meets tomorrow.

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