Talks to form administration
| Published date | 11 May 2022 |
| Publication title | Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser |
Discussions took place at the weekend in attempts to determine the leadership of the new council ahead of its first meeting later this month, with SNP leader Jordan Linden saying they are conducting "talks with like-minded parties to see if we can come together to deliver collectively".
Labour leader Jim Logue - who ran a minority administration after his party similarly came second at the last election - says agreement over local government finance will be a key factor in any "informal working arrangements" made.
Councillor Linden told the
Advertiser: "Clearly the SNP has won the election in North Lanarkshire, as we did in 2017; that confers with it the right to form an administration, and we're going to exercise every sinew that we have in trying to [do so].
""he next steps are to to talk to everybody across the board - with the exception of the Conservatives, I'm ruling that out immediately.
"We need to reflect what North Lanarkshire people clearly want - an SNP adminstration and a clear rejection of the Tories and the Tory-made costs of living."
He says he "would be willing to form a minority administration, but would prefer a confidence and supply arrangement with other councillors" - and added: "That Labour are trying to cobble together 39 councillors with the support of the Tories and the right-wing BUP is as worrying as it is disgraceful.
"It's time for Labour to accept the democratic mandate that has been given once again to the SNP and work with our administration."
Airdrie Central representative Councillor Logue said the next administration "clearly has to be a majority decision in the chamber, and obviously people have to talk if nobody is over 39.
"People will understand that 36 doesn't give a working majority so it's incumbent on all to reflect on the outcome and take positions."
" He added: "For any informal working arrangement, there would be a requirement for the SNP to recognise thefinancial assumption that over the next three years, North Lanarkshire's block grant from the Scottish Government will reduce by £73 million [which] would lead to service cuts and cessation.
"My challenge to the SNP is twofold - do they accept the figures provided by the finance officers, and will they work with the Labour group to oppose these cuts?"
" Nine sitting councillors from across the parties lost their seats. The Conservative group was reduced tofive, but leader Sandy Watson insisted that views on Boris Johnston had "not been a major thing on the doorsteps".
He said: "I'm sorry that we've lost people; the group could have some influence and we need to discuss it and take each subject in turn."
AIRDRIE NORTH SNP gain second councillor
The SNP doubled their representation in Airdrie North as longserving member Sophia Coyle is joined by new colleague Richard Sullivan.
Caldercruix resident Councillor Sullivan, a civil servant, said: "One of the local issues is infrastructure for areas like Caldercruix, Plains, Longriggend, Upperton and Greengairs - a lot of people feel they're left aside and want a fair share of the resources.
"I'm looking forward to getting to work, following up...
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