Buckie councillor ‘incredibly honoured’ to be named SNP council group co-leader
A councillor has said she is “incredibly honoured” after being selected as the co-leader of the SNP group on Moray Council.
Councillor Sonya Warren (Buckie) has joined Councillor Scott Lawrence, who represents Forres, in taking up the reins of the seven-strong contingent, who are the main opposition group on the local authority.
She said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been elected as co-leader of the SNP councillor group in Moray Council.
“Last year I was made group deputy leader so this is logical step up.
“It’s a very balanced leadership partnership, both in terms of gender and the fact the wards we represent are at opposite ends of Moray. The joint leadership format is ideal, I think, as it allows us to split the workload and support each other; with the two of us in the role we can cover more ground.
“I’m proud to lead alongside a team of committed SNP councillors who put their communities first. Together, we will continue to fight for a fairer, greener Moray where no one is left behind.”
The coming year is set to bring with it many challenges and opportunities, not just for the SNP group but the council as a whole.
Councillor Warren continued: “I think the main challenge we’ll face will revolve around budgeting.
“There’s the issue of a new Buckie High School and the learning estate in general. Another pressing matter is the future of leisure estate.
“On a positive note, I was very encouraged to see the Buckie Harbour masterplan to bring major developments to the port. It’s aspirational at the moment, but it’s exciting to see Buckie getting its proper place.”
Councillor Warren’s elevation to the group co-leader role comes as she celebrates 10 years as a councillor, a period which has seen a great many changes.
She commented: “Since first being elected in 2015, I’ve witnessed major changes in local government.
“It’s not the role it once was - technology, the impact of Covid, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have changed how we work and the kinds of pressures our communities face every day.
”Ten years of Westminster austerity have forced councils into impossible decisions. Nobody puts themselves forward to be a councillor in order to cut services or close community facilities, but these are the realities we’re being pushed into, even as Moray received its biggest ever funding settlement from the Scottish Government for our budget this year.
”Despite all that, I remain proud to work hard for the people I represent. I'm driven by the values that brought me into politics: fairness, equality and community.”
Councillor Warren went on to speal warmly of the communities she has represented over the course of the last decade.
”Buckie is an exceptional ward, and I’m incredibly proud to represent it.
“The people here are some of the best you could find - resilient, generous, and community-minded to the core. We have a community spirit that's unique and very strong. It’s been fantastic to see so many local groups grow and flourish despite the challenges.
”Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from housing concerns and education improvements to supporting local services and campaigning for facilities that matter. I’ll continue to be a visible and accessible representative for Buckie and across Moray.
”I will continue to work hard for people in our community. It’s being able to help that gives me the most reward. Sometimes it’s just something small that’s needed, but it can make a huge difference to someone’s life. That’s what matters to me.
”Our communities are strongest when we all work together. If you’ve got concerns, ideas, or just need a hand - please get in touch. Your voice matters.
”We must also keep working to build a better future for our young people - one where they can live, work and thrive right here in Moray. That means protecting services, investing in opportunity, and listening to the next generation.”
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey - your encouragement and belief means everything
