SNP take over running of Stirling Council

Susan McGill has been appointed as the new leader of Stirling Council

The SNP has formed a new administration to run Stirling Council.

Susan McGill has been appointed as the new leader, Jim Thomson takes up the deputy leader role and Rosemary Fraser becomes Stirling's new lord provost.

The SNP will work with the council's Scottish Green and Independent councillors to control a majority of the votes.

The move follows the SNP's 18-year-old candidate Josh Fyvie winning last month's Stirling East by-election, and sees the party take over from a minority Scottish Labour administration.

Alasdair Tollemache is the first Scottish Green to join a Stirling Council administration.

He has also become the new convener of the local authority's environment, transport and net zero committee.

Mr Tollemache said: "This deal puts people and planet at the heart of decision-making here in Stirling."

Ms McGill said it was a "huge honour" to be appointed as leader.

"We are committed to working constructively to unleash the full potential of Stirling's communities to drive economic growth, reduce inequalities and continue transforming our services so we can secure a better future for all," she added.

Stirling Labour group leader Gerry McGarvey said Labour councillors had "worked tirelessly to defend vital public services" from funding cuts.

He also criticised the new administration and described it as "cobbled together".