Steven Heddle elected as OIC convener

Kirkwall East councillor Steven Heddle has been voted in as the new convener of Orkney Islands Council, by just one vote.

He takes over from North Isles councillor Stephen Hagan who has held the post for the last nine years, after a vote of 11-10.

He was elected by fellow councillors at the first statutory meeting of the new council since the election, which is taking place this morning.

Councillor Heddle was nominated by David Tullock and seconded by Jack Moodie, while councillor Hagan was proposed by Andrew Drever and seconded by Harvey Johnston.

There then followed a secret ballot to decide the outcome, with councillor Heddle winning by the narrowest of margins.

The new vice-convenver of the OIC is East Mainland councillor Jim Foubister who takes over the role from Stromness and South Isles councillor James Stockan, who did not stand for the post.

The position was also contested by councillors Alistair Gordon and Janice Annal who were also nominated.

Councillor Foubister beat Alistair Gordon in a 11-10 vote after Janice Annal failed to gain enough votes in the first round.