Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Liz to resign as Provost on Monday - Nairn's four councillors to choose new Civic Leader

Liz told the Gurn the shock news that she is resigning and a new Provost will be chosen at the ward meeting on Monday morning in the Courthouse. She explained that she didn't want to be accused of being a political Provost again. She sees her role as the leader of the new area committee as being more political and she mentioned also that she will be active in the YES campaign locally up to the referendum in October next year. 

She said she would like to thank all those that campaigned to have her reinstated as Provost and the voters that subsequently put her to the top of the pole as the popular choice. "The role gave me tremendous pleasure, it was great honour and I enjoyed every minute of it", said Liz. She still has two duties to complete before she steps down next week and is looking forward to those too. She feels that now is the appropriate time to split the role of Provost from any political role however. 

She sees herself now concentrating on her role as head of the Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey area committee hoping to see more democracy brought back to Nairn. "The more that is devolved to the local area the better, this is just a small beginning, that will grow and develop," she said.

Coming soon: Gurn poll - who do you want as the next Provost?

UPDATE  18.44: It is now a choice between Laurie and Michael, Colin has stated: "Just to advise that I shall not put my hat in the ring at this time!"

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

A welcome to Michael Green then as the new Provost

Anonymous said...

Hurrah

Anonymous said...

Just to advise that I shall not put my hat in the ring at this time!
Colin

where ever lay me hat said...

You keep your head warm Colin :-)

Anonymous said...

Will Mike wear a motor bike chain rather than the gold one, and what's happened to the large Provost chain,given to Highland Council?

Anonymous said...

Would it not be hard for any councillor appointed as Provost to be 'non-political'?

Sounds as though whoever takes up the position will in effect be gagged at an important time in both local and Scottish politics.

I would suggest Liz has been very astute in resigning and it might well be that Nairn is without a Provost for a while?

time travel said...

"she will be active in the YES campaign locally up to the referendum in October next year."

Is this Nairn getting some local control at last? The rest of Scotland has a referendum on September 18th 2014!

Graisg said...

Gurnmeister fault time traveller - I would have been turning up at the polling station in October - thank your very much for your correction.

Anonymous said...

I vote for Oor Graham to be our new Provost. There's been litter at the harbour ever since he left and no-one to lead the No campaign in Nairn. Sanisbury's might even stock real venison for him if he returned

Anonymous said...

"She feels that now is the appropriate time to split the role of Provost from any political role however."

Is this a personal thing or is this going to be a ruling adopted for all future Provosts? What would happen if all the local councillors were members of a political party?

Maybe the Gurn poll should have a "None of the above" choice?

Anonymous said...

Ok Provost Pickers who would you like to see be the next chain wearer, with only two in the running we are not spoilt for choice are we,good old Nairn in the past has had some fine robe wearers Provosts Fred Knowles,Ronnie Watson,Archie Duncan,Hugh MacLean,Hugh Cattanach.

Anonymous said...

The role of Provost now just seems to be a figurehead so maybe it's time to have a local worthy as Provost and not a Councillor? Solves the political issue.

Graisg said...

Sounds like a job for Tommy, Dick or Rosemary then Anon? Rosemary is used to a bit of bling what with the Rotary chain and all that and Dick or Tommy would look really smart in the ermine. Maybe the three of them could jobshare?

Anonymous said...

Graham Vine is yer man for Provost. All the right credentials and he's already Rotary chief so could combine the role/chains

Anonymous said...

I'll be yer provost! :-)