THE two Tweeddale councillors who will lead the opposition groups in the Newtown chamber have vowed to hold the new Tory/Indy administration to account.

Stuart Bell, who was returned as a member for Tweeddale East last week, will head up the nine-strong Scottish National Party at Scottish Borders Council.

And Kris Chapman, who was elected to represent Tweeddale West, is one of only two Liberal Democrats to reach the chamber.

But both are ready to scrutinise plans and policies put forward by the new ruling coalition of Conservatives and Independents.

Councillor Bell, who tried in vain to form a minority administration over the weekend, told us: "I wish the new administration well and look forward to them demonstrating that they know what to do.

"Whilst the formation of this alliance brings to an end my group’s attempt to form a minority administration we will now be leading the opposition on Scottish Borders Council and I assure Borderers that we will hold the administration to account.

"First on our list of questions and concerns is to understand what the Tory-led administration is going to actually do.

"We fought and won our seats on a manifesto committed to getting the council to take a radical new direction in its relations with the general public including greater local decision making.

"We want to fully support head teachers in improving attainment across all of our schools, to make a success of increasing free childcare, and to continue investment in rebuilding our schools and roads following decades of Tory neglect.

"Contrast that with the Conservative and Unionist Party who ended up as the largest group on Friday, they campaigned on a single issue - stopping a referendum."

Scottish Borders Council's new leader, Shona Haslam, along with her Conservative and Independent portfolio holders will take their seats for the first time next Thursday.

Although sitting on the back benches, Lid-Dem leader Kris Chapman has vowed his party will still have a say.

He told us: "I wish the new administration well, these are challenging times for local authorities across Scotland and Scottish Borders Council is no different, there will be a number of issues which the new administration will have to face.

"As a constructive opposition to the council administration, the Liberal Democrat group on Scottish Borders Council will put the people of the Borders first, standing up for our communities and ensuring their voices are heard on the issues that matter including fixing our crumbling roads, investment in our education and health services, and sensible housing developments that do not negatively impact our communities.

"The Lib Dem group will be holding the Conservative led administration to account by ensuring it tackles these important local matters."

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