Co-operation breaks out at Moray Council

A spirit of co-operation and collaboration broke out in Moray Council yesterday.

Members came together to approve several notices of motions, ranging from congratulating the Queen on her 70 year reign to lobbying both the UK and Scottish governments on the cost of living crisis and its impact on council services.

Putting political differences aside, councillor Neil McLennan (Buckie, Conservative), seconded by Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Green), called for collaborative leadership to improve the lives of people in Moray.

The move comes after a report from the Accounts Commission in February criticised councillors for not working together or showing strong leadership to achieve the local authority’s goals.

The motion said: "This council notes the reinstatement of group leaders meetings with senior officers in order to provide open communication, enhance scrutiny and aid decision making.

"We are committed to our duties and to improve life in Moray for all through cooperative and collaborative approaches."

Cllr van der Horn felt all councillors had the same aim of wanting the best for Moray.

He said: "If we all work together in collaboration for the people of Moray just think what would be possible."

Cllr Graham Leadbitter (Elgin South, SNP) said that while there was still a way to go in terms of the report’s findings progress had been made.

In another motion cllr Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin North, SNP), seconded by his party colleague for Sonya Warren (Buckie, SNP), called for the co-leaders of the council's Conservative administration to write to Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The pair wanted concerns to be expressed that the UK government's economic and fiscal policies are having a negative impact on the local economy.

However after discussions, it was agreed the letter should come from the leaders of all the party groups, while a separate one would be sent to Kate Forbes, Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Finance, regarding the level of funding for councils.

There was also unanimous agreement on plans to create a cross-party working group within the council to tackle the cost of living crisis.

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