Owen takes the reigns at Aberdeenshire Council
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A full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council on Thursday morning saw a change in leadership.
It followed the prior removal of councillor Mark Findlater as leader after being ousted by fellow Tories at the AGM of the local Conservative party at the end of May.
Ellon councillor Gillian Owen was made group leader after a vote was held at that event.
A report before councillors advised of the resignation of councillor Findlater and invited nominations.
Addressing the meeting, councillor Anne Stirling nominated Gillian Owen and said: "In doing so I offer my thanks to Mark Findlater in the last year and the contributions made and wish him well.
"I would like this to be a chamber of 70 Aberdeenshire Councillors and that is how I would like to see us move forward in partnership.
"I hope that under this new leadership the council can move forward, this is about our residents who look to us for clear direction and evidence that we are doing things in their best interest and the councillor Owen can do this with the council solidly behind her."
In counter, councillor Stephen Smith - proposed councillor Gwyneth Petrie, the current SNP group leader.
He said: "These are challenging times in Aberdeenshire post covid, with the fall out from Brexit and the economic situation.
"Within the council there are delays on issues not least infighting and internal fighting in the party across the chamber, especially when it affects the council as a whole.
"Gwyneth shows respect and authority and empathy with those in our towns who are struggling and is best equipped to deal with this.
He continued: "Mark Findlater and I have known each other for over 11 years, and even though our politics differ I offer best wishes to him."
The nomination was seconded by Paul Johnston: " I been here for 28 years and reach across the aisle in compassion and that is what is needed in difficult times were are in and we will have to work a lot more together to archive what we have to."
Mark Findlater said: "I rise to support councillor Owen, but I would like to thank all those for their kind words.
"This year is going to be hard, we've steered across mountains and seas, and as a now past leader I must offer my support to my fellow custodians of Aberdeenshire."
Gwyneth Petrie commented: "The chaos of Tory leadership sits at every level in government - there is a real choice in stability here instead of a fourth Tory leader.
"The work in this room focuses to deliver for Aberdeenshire. we are all too familiar of the challenges being faced and we have to deal with transformation - the last 12 months have seen us trudging through mud and an admin focused on infighting.
"Problems have to be faced and addressed we cant shy away form them .
"We are not afraid to make those decision with equity and fairness."
A vote of councillors ended 39 to 22 in favour of Gillian Owen with one no vote
Councillor Owen said: "My leadership will be positive constructive and collaborative as we drive forward to meet the challenges ahead.
"Transformation is key and I look forward to working on critical issues to Aberdeenshire.
"It is a great honour and personal privileged to be elected a leader.
"Since election in 2007 I have been chair of several committees, and have been able to see the council through various angles at a local level through to policy work led forward by areas such as children's services, I hope this well serve me well.
I seek for consensus where we can and ensure that debate is undertaken in a respectful manner.
Councillor David Keating will now chair Education and councillor Alan Turner will chair ISC.
