Left to Right: James Allan, Ron Shepard, Lorna Creswell, George Alexander, Gordon Cowie and John Cowe.
Picture: Daniel Forsyth. Image No.041822
A NEW force has been formed on Moray Council. Known as the Open Group, it comprises five Independent councillors and one Tory, although all its members insist that it is not a political grouping. Instead, it has been formed as a procedural measure so that its leader is part of the regular briefings provided by council officers to the mainstream parties. That leader is George Alexander (Forres, Independent), who is joined by local Independent Councillors Ron Shepherd (Keith-Cullen) and Gordon Cowie (Buckie) as well as Lorna Creswell
(Forres, Independent), James Allan (Heldon and Laich, Conservative) and John Cowe (Heldon and Laich, Independent). Councillor Alexander said: “As an individual councillor there is less information afforded to you, compared with being part of a group. “Consequently, the councillor is less well-informed with regard to day-to-day decisions made by officers. “The main aim of the group is to work for the people of Moray by ensuring that the council delivers high-quality service, while maintaining a balanced and sustainable budget. “Membership is open to any elected member who can agree to our principles of working and whose first commitment is
to the people of Moray. “Any councillor who wishes to join the group should approach any member of the group. “As elected members we believe we have a wealth of experience which we intend to use for the benefit of the people of Moray.” The new grouping adds to the mix of alliances which have formed within the local authority over the last few months. This February saw the formation of the Moray Alliance Group, comprising Councillors Ryan Edwards (Heldon and Laich, Independent), Derek Ross (Speyside-Glenlivet, Independent), Walter Wilson (Speyside-Glenlivet, Independent) and John Divers (Elgin City South).