Change at the top as Aberdeenshire Council leader leaves Conservatives
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The leader of Aberdeen Council has stepped down from the Scottish Conservatives and joined the independent group.
Jim Gifford, who represents the Mid Formatine ward, had held the position for almost nine years and will be replaced by Andy Kille.
He has been joined in his move to the Independent Group by Inverurie ward councillor Lesley Berry and Mearns ward councillor Jeff Hutchison.
The decision followed a weekend meeting of the Conservative Group. Mr Gifford said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to have led the Aberdeenshire Conservative Group for almost nine years and I wish Andy all the very best as he takes on that role.”
But he continued: “We are in the middle of the most difficult situation here in Aberdeenshire with the continuing low oil price exacerbating the horrendous Covid-19 situation.
“We have no idea of where we are going to be once we finally get out of lockdown.
“But we do know that the council are going to have to make some really difficult financial decisions in order to balance the equation of increasing demands on many services matched with decreasing incomes from many sources.
“The many people who know me will know that I honestly believe that party politics too often gets in the way of getting things done, especially at a local level.
“Aberdeenshire has an enviable reputation for being a non-political council and long may that continue.
“At this stage in my life and political career, I think that I can best serve the people of Aberdeenshire, and especially the residents of Mid Formartine ward who elected me, by working as an independent councillor and stepping back from political affiliation within the council.”
On her decision to leave the Conservative Group, councillor Berry said: “After the Conservative councillors elected a new group leader, councillor Andy Kille, at their AGM on May 30, I felt that the interests of the constituents I was elected to serve would be best met by me operating in a non-political forum.
“This would enable my energies to be focused on continuing to serve my community and playing my part in helping address the challenges of the current Covid-19 pandemic, both now and in the years ahead.
“I wish them well and congratulate Andy on becoming their new leader and I look forward to working with them as an Aligned Independent under the co-ordination of councillor Norman Smith and will therefore remain a part of the administration group.”
In light of the changes Aberdeenshire Council’s ruling administration, made up of Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors announced a succession plan for the change of administration leader, and leader of the council, to take place subject to approval at the November full council meeting this year.
The plan includes a transition period, with newly elected Conservative group leader, Andy Kille ‘shadowing’ the current council leader Jim Gifford for the next five months.
Councillor Peter Argyle, Liberal Democrat group leader, will remain as deputy leader of the council.
Leader of the opposition, SNP councillor Gwyneth Petrie (Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford) said: “I welcome councillor Kille to his new role. However, this is an unwanted distraction at a time when the council has been working well on a cross-party basis, with councillors of all parties stepping up to support their communities.
“While it’s obviously a matter for the Conservatives who they want or don’t want to lead them, trying to depose the leader of the council in the middle of a pandemic when council officials are working flat out is not where the focus of the Conservative Group should be.
“Leadership and stability are vital for Aberdeenshire just now, and I hope that any internal disputes within the administration group don’t detract from this.
“On a personal level, I wish Jim Gifford well going forward.
“I have always found him to be courteous and with a willingness to listen.”
Former Ellon councillor and now MP for Gordon, Richard Thomson, said: “I am sorry to see Jim has been ousted as Conservative group leader but saying I’m astonished to learn he’s now left their group doesn’t even cover it.
“While Jim and I clearly had our differences over the years as control of Aberdeenshire Council passed one way then the other, we always enjoyed a good personal relationship.
“Whether in leading the council or the opposition, I always valued Jim’s willingness to work pragmatically with others – I really hope that this doesn’t signal a swing away from that approach within the council.”
