The Provost of Angus has revealed her intention to leave local government at next May’s election.
Ruth Leslie Melville will have performed as civic head for five years, having taken over from the SNP’s Bill Middleton, who is also standing down as a councillor next year.
In her Christmas message to the county Mrs Leslie Melville said: ”This will be my last Christmas message as provost as I have decided to retire from the council at the May election. I wish everyone health and happiness in the years to come. We have a great deal of which to be proud in the county.
”During my term of office it has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the people, the companies, the voluntary sector and the communities who through their endeavours make Angus a wonderful place to be.”
After the SNP’s 23-year hegemony of local politics was broken, Mrs Leslie Melville was nominated for the figurehead role by ward colleague and fellow Angus Alliance councillor Bob Myles.
The 13 Nationalists voted on party lines for their own Carnoustie and District councillor Helen Oswald as provost and won the backing of independent councillor Bob Spink.
Their combined votes trailed the recently-formed alliance by one, which saw Mrs Leslie Melville installed, with fellow alliance member Peter Murphy elected as her deputy by the same margin.
While she has had a council career with both high and low watermarks, the provost’s championing of Angus, and in particular the Brechin and Edzell ward she represents, is beyond doubt.
Mrs Leslie Melville’s stewardship brought with it a strong public image for the likes of Stracathro Hospital and Brechin Day Care Centre, both long-term interests close to her heart.
Her commitment to social care and health issues are exemplified by her support for the daughter of a Brechin woman, whose £5,000 treatment for flat head syndrome the NHS would not pay for.
As provost she has welcomed many international visitors to successful and high profile events in Angus, including the Open at Carnoustie in 2007. The county has also enjoyed a number of Royal visits during her time in the role.
By the same token, two incidents during Mrs Leslie Melville’s early years as provost stick in the mind for the wrong reasons.
She made the casting vote on the Angus flag fiasco, following controversy over proposals to remove the Saltire from county buildings, to be replaced with the county’s own flag.
An SNP amendment to put the matter to a public vote was voted down 15-14.
And in 2007, the Scottish Standards Commission’s chief investigator dismissed Mrs Leslie Melville’s pat on the backside of Forfar SNP councillor Glennis Middleton as a ”friendly gee up gesture”.
Mrs Leslie Melville continues in her festive message: ”For many of us it gives us a chance to spend valuable time with family and friends, however many are unable to be with their loved ones.
”Our thanks go to the hundreds of people in our communities who will be working over the holidays in our hospitals and care homes. The emergency services too will be on duty, ensuring we are safe and cared for over the festive season.
”Particular thoughts and prayers are with the men and women of our armed services who are separated from their families at this time. We must also remember those who choose to give their time to others, volunteering not only at Christmas but throughout the year.
”God bless you all at Christmas time and I wish you a peaceful New Year.”