Wick by-election result

The seven-cornered by-election for Wick (Ward 3) on The Highland Council has resulted in a victory for Gail Ross (SNP).

The turn out was 38.2% and the total number of valid votes cast was 2,091. The winner required a quota of 1,047 votes and Ms Ross achieved this at the end of stage 3 of counting with 1,049 votes.

Michael Carr, Scottish Conservative and Unionist, was eliminated at the end of stage one, with 33 votes.  Laurel Bush was eliminated at the end of stage 2 with 75 votes; Jim Oag, Independent, was eliminated at the end of stage 3 with 202 votes.

At this point, Ms Ross had reached the quota of 1,047 votes, with 1,049 votes and was elected. At this stage, Claire Clark, Scottish Liberal Democrats had 236 votes; Neil MacDonald, Scottish Labour Party, had 463 votes; and Niall Smith, Independent had 245 votes.

The vacancy was created by the resignation on 4 March, this year, of Katrina MacNab (Independent).

Ms Ross joins Councillor Bill Fernie (Independent) and Councillor Graeme Smith (Independent Members’ Group) in representing Ward 3 (Wick) on the Council.

The make up of the Council (80 members) is now:  Independent, 24 members;  Liberal Democrat, 20 members; SNP, 17 members; Labour, 7 members;  Independent Members Group, 6; Independent Alliance Group, 4; Non-aligned 1, Vacant 1.