A third Highland Council by-election looms
A third Highland Council by-election in as many months is on the cards after an opposition member announced he is quitting his seat in February.
Independent group councillor Eddie Hunter (Caol and Mallaig) says he is stepping down from his elected role for personal reasons and is moving away from the region.
The former primary school head teacher’s resignation comes after the departure of non-aligned Alex MacLeod (Landward Caithness) in September, who admitted election expenses fraud and will be sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court today (Thursday), and the sudden death of Independent Billy Barclay (Black Isle) in October.
MacLeod was replaced by former policeman Matthew Reiss in a November by-election while Councillor Barclay’s widow, Jennifer, won his seat in an emotional ballot last month. Both are Independents.
The council is made up of 80 elected members. Councillor Hunter’s resignation will see the Independents down to 33.
The ruling administration parties include the SNP which has 21 councillors, the Liberal Democrats with 14 members and there are eight Labour representatives.
Former SNP Donnie Kerr is an Independent Nationalist while ex-Lochaber Independents Thomas MacLennan and Andrew Baxter, who both quit the group last year, are non-aligned.
Councillor Hunter was first elected in May 2007 and was comfortably returned for a second term in 2012.
"I can confirm I will be resigning my seat sooner rather than later, probably in mid to late February," he said.
"I will be moving away from the Lochaber area for personal family reasons. I have informed the leaders of the Independent Group, of which I am a member, of my decision."
