Date set for special meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council after leadership challenge - Daily Record

Date set for special meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council after leadership challengeThe proposal from the SNP group has been 'supported by a sufficient number of councillors from across

political parties'.NewsStuart Gillespie13:24, 04 Jun 2025Dumfries and Galloway Council headquarters(Image: Jim McEwan) The date has been set for a special meeting of Dumfries and Galloway

Council ahead of a leadership challenge.

The SNP group has tabled a vote of no confidence in the Conservative administration after seven councillors quit the group.

‌ And the local authority has confirmed that proposal has been “supported by a sufficient number of councillors from across political parties”.

‌READ MORE: Opposition parties claim Dumfries and Galloway Council has descended into 'chaos'READ MORE: Councillors who quit Dumfries and Galloway Tory group want decisions 'made closer to

home' As a result, a special meeting will take place at the council headquarters in Dumfries on Monday, June 16.

A council spokesman said: “The purpose of the meeting is to consider a potential change in political leadership (the administration) of Dumfries and Galloway Council.

“The agenda and full papers for the meeting will be published, in accordance with statutory requirements, on the council’s website.

Article continues below “Dumfries and Galloway Council will be making no further comment at this time.”

Four Conservative councillors – Andrew Giusti, Chrissie Hill, David Inglis and Richard Marsh – have quit the Tory administration to form a new group called Novantae.

Three more – Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood – have also resigned and are now in the Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group.

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As a result, the Tory group has just nine councillors, with the SNP group consisting of 11.

And as the SNP budget has been voted through for the past two years, even though they are not in power, they have pushed for a fresh vote on council leadership.

Article continues below Tory councillor Gail Macgregor is currently leader, with party colleague Malcolm Johnstone the convener.