Dunfermline South SNP councillor Brian Goodall has been appointed as the leader of the opposition on Fife Council.
Nominated by SNP councillor Alice McGarry, and seconded by SNP councillor Karen Marjoram, he was elected unopposed by the full Fife Council yesterday following the resignation of Glenrothes councillor Peter Grant from the post.
Mr Grant, who is continuing as a councillor in the meantime, stood down as SNP group leader and opposition leader after being elected MP for Glenrothes.
Mr Goodall thanked the council chamber for their support and also thanked the SNP group who elected him Fife group leader on Monday.
He paid tribute to Peter Grant and said it had been an “honour” to be his depute.
He said he had “watched and learned a lot from him” over eight years, adding a joke: “But I hope my contributions will be briefer.”
In a second appointment, Labour Glenrothes West and Kinglassie councillor Altany Craik was appointed executive member with portfolio responsibility for finance and corporate services. He was nominated by council leader David Ross following the resignation of Labour councillor Linda Erskine from the post.
Noting that Linda, who seconded Mr Craik’s appointment, was “stepping back” for health reasons, Mr Ross said she had made an “enormous contribution”. Mr Craik’s appointment was unopposed.
Meanwhile, Cupar Liberal Democrat councillor Margaret Kennedy has been appointed chairman of Fife Council’s Safer Communities Committee.
The post became vacant following the resignation of Labour councillor Kenny Selbie from the post.
Ms Kennedy was nominated by Fife Council leader David Ross. Given that she had been performing as vice-chairman, Mr Ross thought it right that she should step-up into the chairman’s role.
The unopposed appointment was seconded by Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Tim Brett.
Cupar SNP councillor Karen Marjoram was elected deputy leader of the Fife SNP group at a party meeting on Monday night.