RENFREWSHIRE Council leader Iain Nicolson has survived a major challenge to his position after several members of his own administration put forward a vote of no confidence.

The Gazette can reveal eight councillors on the minority SNP administration spoke out at a political group meeting to make it clear they didn’t want Mr Nicolson running the show.

Ten members voted for him to remain in power, while one did not attend the meeting.

It is understood some councillors are unhappy at an alleged bias towards Renfrew wards when convenerships on the council have been awarded.

No councillors from Johnstone or surrounding villages have leadership or deputy leadership positions on any main council board. 

Concerns have now been raised over the stability of the council.
One source told The Gazette: “There was a challenge to the council leadership and I believe this is because the convenerships have been given largely to Renfrew councillors.

“How is the public supposed to trust the leader of the council when it seems some of his own group members don’t?”
When approached by The Gazette, Mr Nicolson and the SNP group refused to comment. 

There are seven main boards on the council, bar the full council itself, and three of them are headed up by councillors representing Renfrew wards. John Shaw, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, heads up the finance board, while Cathy McEwan, who represents Renfrew South and Gallowhill, is the infrastructure and environment boss.

Jim Paterson, also a Renfrew South and Gallowhill representative, is the convener of the education and children’s services board. Mr Nicolson is convener of the leadership board and the cross-party sounding board, while Marie McGurk, who represents Paisley Southeast, leads the communities and housing board.

The audit, risk and scrutiny board is headed up by opposition Conservative Bill Binks.

The SNP administration took over from Labour last year after gaining the most elected members but failed to win a majority and has had to rely on the support of other political groups, including independent councillors, to get motions passed.