The new Provost of Angus has accepted the “hard job” of following in the footsteps of the late Helen Oswald as the county’s figurehead.
Arbroath councillor Alex King was unanimously welcomed as the council’s ninth figurehead since 1974 at a meeting in Forfar on Thursday afternoon.
The 72-year-old had worn the chains of depute provost since the last council election in 2012.
Carnoustie independent councillor Brian Boyd was voted in as his successor for the deputeship, following a 17 to nine vote in his favour against Forfar contender Colin Brown.
The elder statesman of the chamber, Councillor King was first elected to Angus District in 1984 and represented the Harbour Ward in Arbroath until 2007.
Since 2007 he has represented the Arbroath West and Letham Ward.
The provost’s chair was left empty after the death of Mrs Oswald earlier this year.
Nominating his SNP colleague, council leader Iain Gaul said: “I’d nominate yourself to become provost, as it’s custom for depute provosts or vice move up to that chair when it becomes vacant.”
This was seconded by Councillor David May, who said: “I think you’d be excellent for the job”.
Councillor David Fairweather said: “In this chamber I’m well known for putting forward nominations but on this occasion I’m going to make an exception.
“I think you will make a very good provost.”
Thanking members for their vote of confidence, Councillor King said: “Following on from Helen is going to be a hard job.
“She’s a hard act to follow but I’ll try and do this as well as she did.
“This is not a job I ever thought I’d be offered, or aspired to, in my 30-odd years as a councillor.”
Councillor Boyd was nominated for the deputy role by Councillor Gaul, which was seconded by new Carnoustie independent member David Cheape.
Councillor Fairweather nominated Councillor Brown, saying: “My nomination will be a man who’s been a councillor for more than 10 years.
“He’s known as Mr Forfar.”
This was seconded by Councillor Bob Myles, who added: “He’s been an excellent ambassador for this council for many years.”
The council also agreed a number of appointments to committees left short by the retiral of former Arbroath East and Lunan ward member Bob Spink.
The new SNP councillor in his former seat, Brenda Durno, was appointed to the communities committee, Councillor Cheape will sit on the scrutiny and audit and policy and resources committees, and Councillor Myles will fill the vacancy in development standards.
Mr Spink’s post as convener of the scrutiny and audit committee was filled by Councillor Boyd, with Councillor Cheape taking his previous spot as vice-convener after Councillor Craig Fotheringham declined a nomination for the post.
