Glenrothes’ new leading councillor says she will work to improve life for people of the town.
Fiona Grant has been appointed as chairwoman of the Glenrothes local area committee following a brief and highly unusual special meeting of the group on Wednesday.
Labour councillor Altany Craik stood down from the chair after his party lost control of the area committee following a by-election last month.
Despite Labour members proposing SNP councillor Bill Brown for the post, the now-dominant SNP instead nominated previous chairwoman Fiona Grant to take the helm.
Accepting the position for a second time, Mrs Grant said she was looking forward to taking the reins of the committee once again.
“I’m delighted to become the new area chair and the first person to hold the position twice,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to working with vice-chair Ross Vettraino to continue improving life for the people in Glenrothes.”
Councillor Craik’s tenure as chairman was always unlikely to continue after the SNP’s Craig Walker was elected to the council last month, swinging the committee’s balance of power away from Labour.
Mr Craik had placed an item on next month’s committee agenda, requesting that his position be discussed. However, SNP members brought the matter forward as one of urgency, leading to the special meeting.
As well as appointing Mrs Grant, Ian Sloan has been replaced as vice-chairman by Mr Vettraino, who has been given an additional remit to lead on issues relating to Glenrothes town centre.
Despite losing his position, Mr Craik said he was proud of his achievements as chairman and vowed Labour councillors in Glenrothes would continue to work for the benefit of the town.
“The area committee was fractious but now we are past that,” he said. “It has become more harmonious and I thought that Bill Brown could have continued that.
“Now it is settled and now it is about action and getting it right for the people of Glenrothes.
“We have to work together to deliver and that is important.”