Golspie councillor is too inexperienced for chairman role say opposition

A BIZARRE move today has seen Opposition councillors attempt to install an alternative SNP councillor to take charge of Highland Council’s transport, community services and environmental committee (TECS), instead of her party colleague.

The SNP, Liberal Democrat and Labour administration had proposed newcomer Graham Phillips of Golspie for the chairmanship of the influential committee.

It has responsibility for the authority’s road network in a wide ranging remit, but Councillor Phillip’s nomination was heavily criticised by the Independent group of councillors.

They claimed the Sutherland and Edderton councillor, who runs a consultancy business, lacked the necessary experience for the role.

Instead, at a meeting of the full council in Inverness today Ross-shire Independent Alasdair Rhind nominated Nationalist Maxine Smith for the role and insisted she had the experience and ability to carry out the key job.

Councillor Smith (Cromarty Firth) had been the SNP’s TECS spokeswoman when the party was in opposition during the last council term.

Councillor Rhind said she had been a hugely impressive figure and campaigned heavily for improved roads and drainage.

However, a clearly embarrassed Councillor Smith refused to accept the nomination from her council opponents but said she was honoured to receive their approval, although she had to “respectfully decline”.

Instead, Councillor Smith has become one of two new vice-conveners of the council and chairwoman of the Highland Licensing Board.

Councillor Phillips was elected to the East Sutherland and Edderton ward for the first time in last month’s elections. He previously served as a councillor in England.