Councillor leaves Scottish Borders ruling administration

Independent councillor Harry Scott has left the ruling administration in the Borders

A councillor has left the ruling administration of Scottish Borders Council due to "irreconcilable differences" over policy and direction.

Leader Shona Haslam said the move had been agreed after a meeting with Harry Scott who represents Galashiels.

He is an independent councillor and was part of the ruling coalition with the Conservatives.

However, Ms Haslam said they had agreed he could no longer remain a member of the administration.

"For many years councillor Scott has been a strong and vocal advocate for the residents of Galashiels and I greatly respect that," she said.

"I have always encouraged members of the administration to give their views on issues and it is right and proper that we hear all of those views.

"But, at the end of the day, we all have to be working towards the same goal."

She said that he had always taken a "strong and principled line" but it had been clear that he and the administration wished to move in "different directions".

Despite the move the Conservative/Independent alliance still enjoys an outright majority on the 34-member council.