Meet the new Moray councillors (3)
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Ben Williams grew up in a military family, moving around the UK and Germany before settling in Moray six years ago.
At 19 he was the youngest person to be elected to Moray Council following May’s local government vote
As the councillor for Fochabers/Lhanbryde he combines his ward duties with studying politics, public policy and biblical Hebrew at the University of Glasgow.
One of three Labour councillors on the 26-seat local authority, he praises his colleagues John Divers and Sandy Keith for helping him get to grips with job.
He said: "It was a really steep learning curve, but I’m finding my footing now.
"I’m very thankful for John and Sandy, they have collectively a lot of experience between them and they’ve got me in the right direction."
One of the most difficult situations he's had to deal with are the differing opinions from constituents on flooding from the River Spey at Garmouth.
He said: "I received emails from people in my ward and they were polar opposites.
"It can be very difficult when there is a binary choice."
While councillors voted against flooding measures for the community in September, he's positive a proper solution to the problem can be found.
He said: "I’m hopeful we’ll get flood protection for Garmouth.
"We’re only five months into a five-year term so I think we’ll get there."
Mr Williams is pleased a decision to wipe just over £24,000 in unpaid school meal debt was passed.
He said: It" was a very tangible vote that can have instant impact.
"It’s these votes that can make a difference.
"When you look at it on a grand scale, things have been particularly terrible for people, and if we can do something that can help a family I think that’s one of the biggest successes we can get for a local authority."
As part of his councillor duties Mr Williams took part in local Canada Day commemorations, which he found "very profound".
He did find the first three months of the council "chaotic" with arguments about former convener Marc Macrae’s suitability for the job, and co-leader of the Conservative group Neil McLennan leaving the administration.
Mr Williams said: "There’s so much time we could have spent talking about the things that matter.
"Revising council structures because the administration want to do that or to get rid of one of their leaders – we’re not going to make a difference with this.
"I don’t think people care about the structure of the administration – they care about the difference we can make to their lives.
"I genuinely hope things have settled down. Over the last two months the council has managed to get down to business and I hope that continues."
