Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jack Thomson

SNP group and independent sign confidence and supply deal on Renfrewshire Council

The SNP administration in Renfrewshire have signed a confidence and supply deal with an independent member for the new term.

The cooperation pact will see Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, support the party in budget votes and motions of confidence.

The agreement will not affect individual motions that arise at full council meetings, which will be dealt with as normal on a case by case basis.

Council leader Iain Nicolson, re-elected to his position at Thursday’s meeting, said the “historic” agreement would provide the local authority “stable government” in the next five years.

The two parties will work together on addressing the cost of living crisis in the local authority in the short term and boosting manufacturing jobs in the long term.

Councillor Nicolson said: “We have set out some broad principles that we both strongly agree on, that is the need for multi-year and increased funding settlements for local government and to push for a fair and balanced method of funding for local authorities.

“However our first priority is to continue the programme for Covid recovery and to help our people tackle the existing cost of living crisis.”

Councillor Doig added: “Iain is totally correct, just as with Covid-19 when the council was in a state of emergency, we must again prioritise tackling the cost of living crisis.

“But also in the long term a key part of this agreement for me is seeking to boost jobs by re-industrialising Renfrewshire in the long term to recover our manufacturing capacity.

“That means more jobs, and that means more prosperity.”

As a consequence of the arrangement, Councillor Doig, who remains a member of the opposition, was elected to the role of convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board.

However, this development sparked debate in the council chambers, with the Labour group arguing the pact compromised Councillor Doig’s ability to effectively scrutinise the administration.

They put forward their own councillor, Kevin Montgomery, for the post.

Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

Councillor Iain McMillan, the group’s leader said it wouldn’t be “fair” or “proper” for someone in such a position to scrutinise the administration.

The concerns were dismissed by Councillor Doig, who re-emphasised his position as an independent councillor, and Councillor Nicolson.

The SNP leader, whose party returned 21 of 43 members at the recent election, added: “I’m under no illusions that Councillor Doig will scrutinise us. He will be an effective chair of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board.”

Following a vote, Councillor Doig was appointed convener.

Meanwhile, Councillor Lorraine Cameron will return as Renfrewshire’s provost, while Councillor Cathy McEwan will be depute provost and Councillor Jacqueline Cameron depute council leader.

The following appointments have been made by the SNP group to convene the policy boards:

Communities and Housing Policy Board - Convener, Councillor Marie McGurk and depute convener, Councillor Robert Innes

Economy and Regeneration Policy Board - Convener, Councillor Andy Steel and depute convener, Councillor Michelle Campbell

Education and Children’s Services Policy Board - Convener, Councillor Emma Rodden and depute convener, Councillor Jim Paterson

Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board - Convener, Councillor John Shaw and depute convener, Councillor Fiona Airlie-Nicolson

Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board - Convener, Councillor Michelle Campbell and depute convener, Councillor Stephen Burns

Planning and Climate Change Policy Board - Convener, Councillor Jim Paterson and depute convener, Councillor Bruce MacFarlane

Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.