Stirling Council has appointed a new leader after Chris Kane stepped down from the role following his election as the region’s MP.
Labour’s Margaret Brisley was appointed to the position at a special meeting of Stirling Council on Thursday.
Councillor Brisley was voted in to the position by 12 votes to eight at the fiery meeting. Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache abstained from the vote.
Cllr Brisley steps up from depute leader to take over the role.
Cllr Gerry McGarvey was also voted in as the new depute leader by a margin of 12 votes to eight, with Cllr Tollemache once again abstaining.
Following the conclusion of the meeting’s agenda, Cllr Brisley asked to say a few words, at which point SNP members hastily left the chamber before she spoke.
The point of contention came when Tory councillor Robin Kleinman was installed as convener of the council’s audit committee.
SNP councillors walked out of the meeting and subsequently resigned from their own positions on the committee in protest.
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At that point the meeting had an insufficient numbers of members in attendance and it was brought to a close as some ward members wished to address the meeting.
Cllr Brisley – a councillor for 44 years and who represents the Bannockburn and Eastern Villages ward – said: “I am hugely honoured to be appointed as leader of Stirling Council and would like to thank my fellow councillors for putting their trust in me.
“I’m committed to being a leader that serves everyone across Stirling and will work constructively with other elected members so we can deliver positive outcomes for our communities.“
She thanked Cllr Kane for taking on the role for the last two years.
“Like all other Scottish local authorities, Stirling clearly faces further challenges in the coming years with various external pressures”, she continued.
“However, by working closely with our communities and other key partners, I am confident we can achieve our ambitions and forge a better future for us all.”
Cllr Kane, who did not attend the meeting, this week said: “It has been a huge privilege to be the leader of Stirling Council and I’m delighted to be followed in the role by Cllr Brisley.
“Margaret was a great support to me in my time in the role, with her knowledge and experience second to none. I wish her well and I look forward to working closely with her in my new role as Member of Parliament for Stirling and Strathallan.”
A Stirling Labour Group spokesperson said: “It was disappointing – albeit sadly not surprising – that SNP councillors chose to walk out during the brief contribution the Provost allowed the newly elected council leader at the end of the meeting however that is entirely a matter for them.”
SNP group leader at Stirling Council, Cllr Scott Farmer said: “Councillor Brisley has served Stirling and Labour for many years, and we hope as council leader she will now address the democratic rot at the heart of Stirling Council.
“Labour depend on Tory votes to stay in power. It is unreasonable and highly irregular to then install a Tory to lead on audit and scrutiny. It’s not too late for Labour to change course, and restore proper accountability and governance – it’s the least our communities and residents expect.”
Stirling Conservative group leader, Cllr Neil Benny said that certain members’ conduct – specifically SNP and independent members – had “again made the atmosphere in a council meeting toxic”. Cllr Benny added: “The business had concluded and we left the meeting.
“The idea that anyone didn’t have their say, or was refused their right to say anything is absurd given that everyone had ample opportunity during the debate to speak. Scottish Conservative councillors will always try and work constructively with any administration at Stirling Council, something residents should expect all their councillors to do.”
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Green councillor, Alasdair Tollemache, later made his feeling known on members walking out of meetings.
He said: “The importance of being able to say and listen to views that differ from others is vital for councillors. What happened last week was not good for free speech.
“It’s important that when speaking we do so in a way that is respectful of others when highlighting our political differences.
“Walking out of council meetings has now occurred three times, twice by political parties and once by an officer.
“It cannot be acceptable that councillors are denied the opportunity to speak by such actions.”