SCOTTISH Borders Council will be run by an Independent, Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrat Administration following the recent election, it has been announced.
Councillor David Parker, Independent, who has led the Council for the past nine years, will be the choice of the new Administration for Council Leader and Councillor Graham Garvie, Liberal Democrat, will be the Council's new Convener.
Councillor John Mitchell of the SNP group, which was previously in opposition at the local authority, will be Deputy Council Leader with responsibility for Finance.
The announcement of the new Administration was confirmed today (Friday) and the Administration will publish a programme of government for the Scottish Borders next week.
Speaking on behalf of the Independent members, Councillor Michael Cook said: "We are pleased once again to be part of the Administration of Scottish Borders Council and it is a mark of our success that David Parker is to lead the Council for an historic third term.
"I am also pleased that Nicholas Watson and Sandy Aitchison have agreed to become Independents and that nine Independents will now contribute to the work of the new Administration."
The new Council Administration will take office on Thursday, May 17, with the appointment of the Convener, Vice Convener, Leader and Deputy Leader.
Further appointments will be made at a Council meeting on Thursday, May 24.
Speaking on behalf of the Scottish National Party Group, Group Leader John Mitchell said: "We are pleased to be part of the new Administration that will run Scottish Borders Council for the next five years. The SNP Group is committed to working hard with our Administration partners for the good of the Scottish Borders. We look forward to the implementation of SNP policies including widening the democratic accountability of Scottish Borders Council."
There was no room on the administration for the Conservatives - despite the party winning most seats in the Borders at the recent elections. They previously shared power with in a Tory-LibDem-independent coalition.
Speaking for the Liberal Democrats, Deputy Group Leader Catriona Bhatia said: "Liberal Democrats made a significant contribution to the last council and will do so again as part of the new Administration. What is important to us is ensuring that our policy programme is at the heart of the new Administration's thinking."
It is unclear what the future holds for the Borders Party, however.
Councillor Sandy Aitchison, speaking about the Borders, said: "Nicholas and I remain sceptical about the railway but recognise that the project is being delivered by the Scottish Government and is beyond the influence of the council. We want to play an important part in the governance of the Scottish Borders over the next five years and will be pleased to work as part of the Independent group within the new Administration. Indeed, we are delighted that the Administration has agreed a review of the Borders involvement in the city region."
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