Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How another Royal Burgh hid the Provost's chain

The chain of office was kept privately in a safe by Dornoch citizens after their town council was wound up. They were worried that it would disappear to Inverness. The Press and Journal reports:

'A HIGHLAND town is at the centre of a tale of impressive political skulduggery and cunning.
It has been revealed that the civic golden chain of Dornoch and its town charter – an ancient parchment – are kept under lock and key at a secret location, with only eight locals enjoying access.
The tale emerged after the Scottish Cabinet convened in the royal burgh as part of a summer tour last month. '

More on the Press & Journal website.

This is perhaps an ideal point to ponder what will happen locally at the next Highland Council election to the office of Provost. Here's what Gurnites thought of the decision to remove Liz in one of our unscientific polls.
The Gurn confidently predicts that Liz will be returned at the next election with an increased majority. Will she become the Provost again? The electorate might think it her right if she were once again elected top of the poll. It would, in legal terms, under the current system it seems be down to the decision of the other three members in such a situation. One thing that might happen however is that by the time of the next election Nairn could have (as a product of a recent and ongoing review) a democratically elected Community Council covering the present boundaries of the town (The Royal Burgh of Nairn Community Council). That community council would then just have as much right to pick a Provost as the Highland Council members?

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