Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area elected.

Councillor Helen Carmichael who represents Aird and Loch Ness Ward was elected as the new Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area today (Thursday 25 June 2015).

Nominated by Councillor Margaret Davidson, and seconded by Councillor Jim Crawford, Councillor Carmichael was duly elected at a special meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee held at Council Headquarters in Inverness.

As Provost and Leader, Councillor Carmichael will chair the Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee meetings.

Her election to the role of Provost breaks a 600 hundred year tradition of male Provosts holding the role. The earliest reference to a Provost of Inverness was a ‘Provost Junor’ in around 1400.

The role of Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area is now a combined role under the Council’s new Administration.

Councillor Carmichael said: "I am honoured and delighted to have been chosen by the City Councillors to represent the people of Inverness City and Area and I gladly accept the position on Provost and Leader of Inverness City and Area. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to serve as Provost. I eagerly look forward to the challenges ahead."

Councillor Helen Carmichael (Independent) – is one of 4 Councillors who represent the Aird and Loch Ness Ward (13). She was first elected to The Highland Council in a by-election for the Beauly and Strathglass Ward (41) held on Thursday 10 June 2004 and was subsequently re-elected in the 2007 and 2012 Local Government Elections to serve Ward 13 - Aird and Loch Ness.