SNP and Greens take control of Stirling Council

The SNP has won control of Stirling Council in a deal with the authority’s sole Green councillor.

Alasdair Tollemache, who represents Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, has agreed a cooperation agreement with the 10-strong SNP group.

The authority had been run by a Labour-Conservative coalition.

But at a special meeting today the council voted to approve the new leadership, which will be headed by Stirling North’s Susan McGill, with SNP ward-mate Jim Thomson as deputy and Rosemary Fraser as lord provost.

Tollemache had been expected to take on the lord provost role. However, he has instead moved into the post of convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee and spokesperson for issues within its remit.

The deal is supported by Alasdair Macpherson, the area’s sole independent councillor, and has been backed by local Scottish Greens members. It takes that party into coalition on the council for the first time.

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.”

The change includes the creation of a new housing committee and follows the resignations of former lord provost and depute convener, Conservatives Elaine Watterson and Neil Benny, as the meeting began.

The SNP group grew to 10 members last week with the success of Josh Fyvie in the Stirling East by-election.

Labour’s number has reduced to four, with seven Conservatives also serving on the 23-member authority.

Tollemache said: “This deal puts people and planet at the heart of decision-making here in Stirling.  

“With Scottish Greens in administration for the first time, I am determined to work on cutting locals bills through public ownership of buses, community-owned renewables, and the introduction of robust rent controls.

“We are facing a climate emergency, that's why, as convenor of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, I will support action to cut Stirling’s carbon emissions by supporting local nature restoration projects and an expansion of our active travel network, to allow commuters to leave the car at home.

“I look forward to working to build a fairer, greener Stirlingshire as part of this new administration.”