Stirling Council Administration

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I thought it is important for me to make comment on the political make up of Stirling Council in light of the SNP’s by election victory on Thursday evening in the Stirling East ward.

CURRENT STIRLING COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

Since the local elections in 2022, Stirling Council has been run by a Labour and Tory coalition.

Stirling Council has 23 councillors and until a few weeks ago the make up was:

  • 9 x SNP
  • 8 x Tory
  • 4 x Labour
  • 1 x Independent (me)
  • 1 x Green

In 2022, Labour joined forces with the Tories to form the administration as they had a majority of councillors, eg 12/23. Other seats have changed hands since 2022 but until Thursday Labour and the Tories always had the majority to hold power.

A few weeks ago a Tory councillor resigned which sparked a by-election in the Stirling East ward, which covers Hillpark, Broombridge and Braehead. The SNP’s candidate, Josh Fyvie won Thursday by-election so the number now are:

  • 10 x SNP
  • 7 x Tory
  • 4 x Labour
  • 1 x Independent (me)
  • 1 x Green

Labour and the Tories no longer have a majority, eg they now have 11/23.

If the SNP secure my support and that of the Green councillor they have a majority and can remove Labour and the Tories from power.

I know they have already reached an agreement with the Green councillor which means that the Council make would be:

  • SNP and Green 11
  • Labour and Tories 11

I am now in the unique position that I hold the balance of power, which is the nightmare scenario for all political parties as quite frankly none of them like me, which does not bother me one iota!

I was contacted by the SNP group last week who wanted to discuss the future running of the Council in the event of them winning Thursday’s by-election. This is the same SNP who I fell out with in 2022. My instant reaction was to tell them to fuck off – but I owe it to my constituents to try and extract the best deal for them.

I told the SNP negotiators if they wanted my support I wanted to see a number of changes in the Council and funding for projects in my ward.

When Labour and the Tories took power in 2022 their leader at the time Chris Kane (now MP) carved up a structure that froze out myself and Green councillor Tollemache out of the committee structure.

It was a undemocratic, spiteful and scandalous decision by Kane, Labour and their Tory pals.

I told the SNP that they must agree to change the committee structure to allow cllr Tollemache and I positions on committees.

I have told the SNP I do not want a formal coalition with them as I have had enough of party politics and really enjoy my independent status. Here is a list of the positions in the various committees I have asked for:

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION

  • Planning
  • Housing
  • Environment

My background is construction so I feel I can best contribute to these committees, as I have done over the last 18 years as a councillor.

I have asked for funding, through next years budget process:

FUNDING AND POLICY FOCUS

Fallin Public Transport: I want to see funding to improve public transport for Fallin

Cowie Miners Welfare: I want funding committed to demolish Cowie Miners Welfare building

Law Centre Pilot: I nearly pulled this off in 2020 but COVID got in the way. I feel very strongly about this as lots of vulnerable people are being failed by lack of legal representation. A law centre gives free legal advice. See more here.

Hogmanay Event: I know how much Stirling businesses were gutted when Stirling’s Hogmanay event was stopped so I want to see something restored although it might be too late for this year.

Minewater Thermal Energy

I told them I want to see a review of Stirling Council’s Regional Energy Masterplan

I also told them I want a paper to the appropriate committee before the budget that scopes out the potential in the Bannockburn ward for minewater thermal energy technology.

I am volunteering on a project on behalf of Fallin Community Garden for this technology, see here.

I also told them I want to establish a group within the Council made up of elected members, officials and industry experts to investigate the potential of this exciting technology.

I am absolutely convinced that this technology, if scaled up adequately, with local and national government support, can tackle fuel poverty in my ward.

The demands I have stated above are only a few of the projects I have asked for and there will be more funding for other projects in my ward.

STIRLING COUNCIL MEETING 6TH NOVEMBER 2025

The SNP have agreed to some of my demands but not all so I am seeking a meeting with them early next week as they have requested a meeting next Thursday afternoon in an attempt to take power, see here.

If I was to back the SNP motion on Thursday, and that is not guaranteed, they will take power.

I have also been in contact with Labour to ask them for talks as my bottom line is that whoever is prepared to give the most for my ward will get my support. I also need be able to trust whats put on the table by all parties.

I want to make it clear that I will never go into a formal coalition with anyone as I have stated earlier my independent status is not up for grabs and never will be.

I am going to leave this post open for comments, feel free to contribute.