Recount delays conclusion of Council elections

The conclusion of The Highland Council elections held at Inverness Leisure today (Friday) was delayed by a recount in the four-member Cromarty Firth Ward. This will commence at 5 pm.

The results in the other 21 wards saw the Independents secure 33 seats; Scottish National Party, 21, Liberal Democrat 14, and Labour 8.

The first meeting of the new Council will be held on Thursday 17 May when the office-bearers will be confirmed.

The average turn out across the 22 wards was 41%.  The highest turn out was 51.92% at Black Isle Ward, where the four councillors were all returned.

A total of 13 councillors did not seek re-election while 8 lost their seats. They were Councillors Robbie Rowantree (Lib Dem), East Sutherland and Edderton; Graeme Smith (Ind Members Group), Wick; Richard Durham (Ind) Tain and Easter Ross;  Peter Cairns (SNP) Dingwall and Seaforth; David Chisholm (Ind Members Group) Dingwall and Seaforth; Pauline Munro (SNP) Inverness; Bob Wynd (SNP) Culloden and Ardersier; Graham Marsden (Lib Dem) Nairn.

The 21 new councillors include the youngest councillor to serve on the Council – 19-year-old Alex MacLeod (SNP), Landward Caithness.