SNP takes control of running Stirling Council

The SNP has taken control of Stirling Council following a special meeting of council on Monday.

The new administration marks the first time since 2008 that all three local authorities in Forth Valley have been run by the SNP – and the first time all three have been led by women.

Lord provost Elaine Watterson stepped down from her role followed by Neil Benny departing as depute provost.

SNP councillor Rosemary Fraser took up the role of Stirling’s new Lord Provost, with councillor Jim Thomson taking up the role of depute leader.

The SNP won a succession of votes to head up various committees, with Susan McGill elected council leader, and Willie Ferguson elected housing committee chair.

The changes come after 18-year-old SNP candidate Josh Fyvie became one of the youngest elected representatives in the UK after winning a Stirling Council by-election, beating Labour and Reform UK.

The party has pledged to make good on its election promises of tackling anti-social behaviour, better maintaining public spaces and cleaning Stirling’s streets.

Gerry McLaughlan has become depute convener of the council.

Josh Fyvie stands to the left of First Minister John Swinney on the Stirling council campaign trail.

Edinburgh & East

18-year-old SNP candidate elected as councillor after by-election win

Josh Fyvie has become one of the youngest elected representatives in the UK after winning the by-election.

Alasdair Tollemache, the Green councillor whose support helped get the SNP over the line, heads up the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee.

Heading up the Finance, Economy and Culture Committee is councillor McLaughlan, while councillor Bob Buchanan was elected convener of the Social Work and Education Committee and councillor Brian Hambly is convener of the Community Wellbeing Committee.

Newly-elected councillor Fyfie was elected convener of the Public Safety Committee and councillor Alasdair MacPherson is chair of the Planning and Regulation Panel.

Councillor Scott Farmer was elected to the NHS Forth Valley Board and chair and member of the Clacks and Stirling Integration Joint Board.

Council leader Susan McGill said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed as Stirling Council Leader and I look forward to working with my fellow councillors, as well as local partners and communities, to improve the lives of everyone across Stirling.

“We are committed to working constructively to unleash the full potential of Stirling’s communities to drive economic growth, reduce inequalities and continue transforming our services so we can secure a better future for all.”

Councillor Fraser added: “My thanks to councillors for appointing me as Lord Provost. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Elaine for her hard work during her term and for representing Stirling and its communities with such distinction.

“I’m proud and privileged to take on this important role and will work tirelessly for everyone across Stirling.”

Keith Brown MSP, depute leader of the SNP said: “This win in Stirling shows that people trust the SNP to put Scotland first and deliver for their communities, as the Labour and Tory coalition is voted out of administration.

“The SNP is supporting local families, improving services, and strengthening our economy. We remain resolutely committed to building a fairer and more prosperous Scotland for everyone who lives here.

“That vision will drive our campaign for independence as voters face the choice in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections between parties content with Westminster decline or an SNP government determined to deliver a better future for Scotland and a fresh start as an independent country.”