CONSERVATIVE councillors are working with independent representatives to take control of the SNP-led Moray Council, it has emerged. 

The Tory group, alongside the Moray Alliance Group (MAG), say that after SNP councillor Paula Coy stood down last month the party now has too few elected members to run the administration.

Tim Eagle, the Conservative group’s leader, said with the council budget coming up, it’s key that the administration is able to pass key legislation.

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"With the resignation of a former SNP councillor a couple of weeks ago the group are now holding a minority administration of just seven councillors,” the Buckie ward representative said.

"That represents less than a third of all the councillors in Moray and creates a risk in ensuring key documents are passed.

"The current group being proposed would offer at least 11, and we will continue to reach out to other groups to see if we can form some form of connection for the remaining days in office."

Eagle went on: "We hope other councillors will recognise the benefit of having a larger group in administration. I am ready to lead the council for the remaining months with a renewed and improved focus on Moray and the services the council delivers."

Eagle’s proposal would involve working with MAG – which is made up of independent Speyside/Glenlivet councillor Derek Ross and two more independent councillors.

Ross said there is a lot of pressure on the SNP ahead of the budget, adding: "That's why if successful my group will work with the Conservative group to put in place a truly strong budget which will last well into 2023, and give new councillors coming in during the election in May 2022 the best possible foundations for a successful council term.”

Graham Leadbitter, the leader of Moray Council, has heavily criticised the Tories over the action – which comes three years after the last Tory/independent coalition failed.

In 2018, councillors backed the SNP taking over the council as the coalition faced a row over the local authority’s management structure.

Leadbitter told The Northern Scot: "The Conservative group walked away from the previous administration they were involved in, leaving their coalition partners carrying the can.

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"This is an incredibly disruptive action by the Tories, just over four months out from the council elections.

"Council officers are dealing with major challenges with the threat of the new Covid variant already causing serious issues for our services.

"Allied to this are winter weather emergencies, which are coming one after another and just weeks away from the council’s budget meeting.

"Unlike the SNP in Moray, they have not proven that they can constructively work with others.

"We will robustly defend our record in office and we are actively seeking the support of others to provide continuity through to the elections in May."