Inverness by-election date chosen

A by-election will be held in The Highland Council’s Ward 14 – Inverness West - on Thursday 23 April to choose a successor to Councillor Jimmy MacDonald, who died on 30 January at the age of 60.

Returning Officer, Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive, The Highland Council, confirmed the date after meeting political group leaders and the two Inverness West councillors earlier today (Monday).

He will officially call the election on 17 March, from when nominations can be made.  Nominations will close on 30 March.

Polling will take place between 7 am and 10 pm on Thursday 23 April at the Charleston Academy Community Complex, Muirtown Primary School and the Old Boys' School,  Cathedral Hall, Bishops Road. The count will take place on Friday 24 April at the Town House, Inverness.

Councillor MacDonald was one of three councillors representing Inverness West.  The other two councillors are Councillor Alex Graham, Liberal Democrat, and Councillor Pauline Munro, SNP.

The current representation of the 80-member Council is Independent, 29; Liberal Democrat, 21; SNP, 17; Labour, 7; Independent Members Group, 5.