Councillor for Inverness West Ward 13 resigned

Councillor Graham Ross for Ward 13 Inverness West has resigned as a councillor for family reasons.

Convener of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “Graham has been a very conscientious and hardworking Member both in his role as a Ward Councillor and as Deputy Provost and Deputy City Leader of Inverness and I wish him well for the future.”

At a meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee today (27 May 2021) Provost of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael paid tribute to Cllr Ross, she said:

“It is with deep regret that I must advise that Cllr Graham Ross, Depute Provost and Depute Leader of the City has resigned as a Councillor, for family reasons.

“Graham was elected to serve on the Council as Councillor for the Inverness West Ward in 2012. He quickly gained the respect of all who came into contact with him and was appointed as Depute Provost/Depute City Leader for the City of Inverness in June 2017.

“The value Graham brought to perpetuating Community Development and vibrancy, within the City, cannot be overestimated. Whether it was his supreme professionalism and knowledge of what makes communities work, or, his amazing dedication as an Invernessian committed to improving his community, he delivered to the highest possible standard.

“Graham has used his valuable skills in delivering on key roles within the city ranging from leading on the city’s successful Events and Festivals Programme, to his most recent role as Chair of the City Area Recovery Group.

“His immense knowledge was a perfect fit with his role as a key custodian of the Inverness Common Good Fund which he delivered as Chair of the Inverness Common Good Fund Sub Committee.

“On a personal note, I could not have wished for a better Depute as both Provost and Leader of the city and I thank Graham for all his work in support of city communities.

“He has set a very high standard for all of us to follow and will be greatly missed by Councillors, Officers and most importantly, by our city community, whom Graham so diligently served for many years.”

The Highland Council is currently considering the potential timing of a By Election for the Inverness West Ward.