Moray SNP announce candidates for May's local council election
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MORAY Scottish National Party has made an initial candidate announcement ahead of May's local council election.
Five councillors will be standing again from the the current administration group of seven.
That includes Council Convener Shona Morrison, Council Leader Graham Leadbitter and Committee Chairs Sonya Warren, Dave Bremner and Theresa Coull.
Two new candidates have also been selected with Neil Cameron and Jérémie Fernandes set to contest Heldon and Laich and Elgin City North respectively.
Mr Cameron has lived in Lossiemouth for five years. During that period he has been involved with a number of community projects and has volunteered with the NHS at Dr Gray's.
He said: "Tory austerity has really upset me particularly as it is the poorer members of our society that have suffered – especially those with young children.
"If we can be anything we need to work hard for equality, fairness, be inclusive and compassionate, ensuring that no one misses out regardless of where they live and that they have every opportunity to reach their potential."
Mr Fernandes moved to Elgin in 2015 and has been working at Moray College for the majority of that period.
He said: "I am delighted to put myself forward for election to the Moray Council. Since the Tories walked away from the Council in 2018, the SNP has managed, as a minority administration, to create consensus and to balance the finances of the council in a fair, responsible and sustainable way. We want to keep up the good work.
"Elgin is my home. I will always stand up for the community I hope the people of Elgin City North will entrust me to represent. I want people, businesses and community groups to know that they can approach me for assistance on any issue."
Moray Council has eight wards which will each be represented by either three or four councillors.
In total, 26 councillors will be elected.
Mr Leadbitter added: "We have candidates with a wide range of experiences who understand the significant time demands placed on councillors in 21st century Scotland and the breadth and depth of learning and decision making that goes with delivering £300M of public spending through over 150 services.
"When leadership has been demanded the SNP has delivered that, steering the council through a very challenging period.
"We are standing for election with a view to continuing that high level of commitment to public service and respect for those who are willing to place their trust in us to represent communities right across Moray, and to make sure that Moray's issues are well represented to national governments."
Local council elections will take place in every constituency in Scotland on Thursday, May 5.
