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VIDEO: Ex-Angus Council leader storms out of meeting after councillors reject reintroduction of historic title

The former leader of Angus Council slammed his laptop shut and stormed out of a meeting after his bid to bring back a historic title was denied.

Independent councillor for Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim, David Fairweather said he was “gobsmacked” and “absolutely shocked” at the result of the vote before walking out on Thursday.

Mr Fairweather, who was leader from 2018 until May’s elections this year, wanted to grant long-serving member and former Provost Ronnie Proctor the honorary title of “Baillie”.

But the move was blocked by an SNP amendment meaning no return of the title last used in the district half a century ago.

One councillor described the “Baillie” title as an “archaic, hierarchical, appointment system” consigned to the past.

‘Disgraceful pettiness’

Mr Fairweather stormed out of the meeting after issuing an angry parting statement and did not return to the chamber for the remaining four hours of the meeting.

A debate on how to tackle Angus Council’s £51 million financial blackhole was held in that time, in which the authority’s finance chief warned of the dire situation.

He also had a brief spat with Provost Brian Boyd over when to go to the vote.

Mr Fairweather said: “Councillor Boyd, I will no longer refer to you as Provost, until you begin to act like one.

Mr Fairweather gave a short passionate speech before leaving. Image: Angus Council.

“This decision today shames Angus Council. I record my dissent. I will remove myself from this room as a protest to this disgraceful pettiness from the SNP and the two stooges that they’ve got.

“I will go before I say anything more that I regret,” concluded Mr Fairweather.

Motion fails

Mr Fairweather’s motion had been seconded by Conservative councillor for Arbroath East and Lunan, Derek Wann.

Current council leader, Beth Whiteside, however put in an amendment that no action be taken.

It won by 16 votes to 10.

Mr Proctor, who is a Conservative councillor for Kirriemuir and Dean, is also a retired Black Watch Major and the council’s veterans’ champion.

The office and duties of Baillie were abolished under The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Yet, several local authorities across Scotland, including neighbouring Dundee City Council, still appoint them.

There is no financial gain from having the title, but a Baillie can stand-in for a Provost or depute Provost at civic ceremonies and events.

Leader of Angus Council, Councillor Beth Whiteside.

‘Reinstate archaic title’

Earlier, Ms Whiteside said: “By bringing an amendment to this motion, I mean absolutely no disrespect to Councillor Proctor…

“…People of Angus are facing the bleakest of winters, with food, energy and mortgage costs soaring.

“Similarly, we only need to look at the medium term budget strategy paper later in this agenda, to understand the scale of the challenge faced by the council itself over the next few years.

“And yet, the most pressing issue facing our friends in opposition, is how to reinstate an archaic, honorary title for one of their team.”

Councillor Ronnie Proctor

‘Tugging your forelock’

Supporting the amendment, Councillor George Meechan, also representing Mr Proctor’s ward, said: “I cannot support the return of an archaic, hierarchical, appointment system, which was rightly abolished by the local government act…

“…I think the days of tugging your forelock to those betters has gone and should remain, as it has been, abolished.”

After Mr Fairweather left the chamber, the provost, Independent Councillor Brian Boyd said among summary comments: “Let’s stop the petty politics now, and move forward.”

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