Opposition leader – Inverness Ness-side Lib Dem councillor Alasdair Christie pledges to hold the new Highland Council coalition to account
Inverness Ness-side Lib Dem councillor Alasdair Christie has vowed to hold the new Highland Council coalition to account as leader of the opposition.
Earlier today Councillor Raymond Bremner was elected council leader and Councillor Bill Lobban was named convener.
Cllr Alasdair was elected unopposed to lead the opposition to the Independent/SNP administration at the first meeting of the new council this morning. He had earlier made a play for leader, but lost 40-27 to Cllr Bremner.
Undeterred, Cllr Christie called on members to deliver the existing capital programme – and to put Highland first.
Referring to the cost of living crisis and growing poverty, Cllr Christie said the council must work collectively to help. “We need to be aware of the impact of isolation on the most vulnerable members of our communities,” he said.
The council must work with partners including the NHS to provide the right care, both to support people and preserve their independence.
Cllr Christie led the budget process in the last political term, and today challenged members to “stand by the capital programme”.
He said the programme focuses on the future by providing resources to young people.
The official opposition will scrutinise, support and challenge, said Cllr Christie.
He quipped: “There will be fundamental disagreements – and we will always be right.”
Directly addressing Cllr Bremner as new leader, Cllr Christie said he would ensure the Highland voice is put first.
“You wouldn’t expect anything less,” he added.
