Cosla elects first ever SNP president

Moray councillor Shona Morrison has been elected president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).

It is the first time an SNP councillor will lead the organisation in its 47-year history.

Morrison secured 50 per of the vote, beating Labour’s Heather Brannen-McVey by four votes.

She also saw off competition from former president Alison Evison – who was previously a Labour councillor but stood as an independent in Aberdeenshire in May – and independent Orkney councillor Steven Heddle.

Heddle was elected a vice-president with 55 per cent of the vote, seeing off competition from Lib Dem Peter Barrett and Labour’s Paul Kelly.

Morrison said: "I look forward to continuing the progress which has already been made on a cross-party basis over the last five-year term.

“I am clear about the pressures faced by local government and the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is an important job and a challenge I will relish and give my all to.

"I am a politician and a member of a political party, however my focus in this role will be on the ‘Team Local Government’."

In addition, the five other spokespeople who make up the leadership team are:

• Resources Spokesperson – Katie Hagmann (Dumfries and Galloway Council)
• Health and Social Care Spokesperson – Paul Kelly (North Lanarkshire Council)
• Community Wellbeing Spokesperson – Maureen Chalmers (South Lanarkshire Council)
• Environment and Economy Spokesperson – Gail MacGregor (Dumfries and Galloway Council)
• Children and Young People Spokesperson – Tony Buchanan (East Renfrewshire Council)