SNP Hold Inverness Central After Highland Council Bi-election
17th November 2019
The by-election for a councillor to represent Inverness Central - Ward 14 on The Highland Council has been won by Emma Roddick - Scottish National Party (SNP) who was one of six candidates who contested the vacancy.
Voting was by the single transferable vote and Emma Roddick emerged as the winner at the third stage of the count.
The bi-election was caused by the resignation of Richard Laird who was an SNP councillor.
The second placed candidate was the Conservative's Rachel Hatfield who got 360, followed by Independent Richie Paxton on 338, who was ahead of the Liberal Democrats Mary Dormer with 325.
Labour's Ardalan Eghtedar was knocked out in the first round with just 154 votes, only to be followed in the second phase by the Greens' Russell Deacon with 238.
Inverness Central has 3 councillors. the other two are -
Bet McAllister - Labour
Janet Campbell - Independent
There are 74 councillors in Highland.
Political representation
Administration: Independent Group, the Liberal Democrat Group and Labour Group.
Oppositions Groups: SNP and Conservative and Unionist.
Independent (Ind) - 27
Scottish Conservative and Unionist (Con) - 11
Scottish Green Party (Green) - 1
Scottish Labour Party (Lab) - 3
Scottish Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem) - 9
Scottish National Party (SNP) - 21
Sutherland Independent Group (SIG) - 1
Non-aligned (NA) - 1
Total number of Elected Members - 74
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Yesterday : Local Authority
Caithness has reached a moment where the old assumptions about public investment no longer hold. For decades, the region could rely on a three‑pillar system: HIE to drive economic development, Scottish Enterprise and national programmes to support growth, and Highland Council to deliver the infrastructure that underpins daily life.
Yesterday : Advisory / Counseling Services
For decades, Highlands and Islands Enterprise was the economic backbone of the far north. It wasn’t perfect, but it was one of the few institutions that understood the basic truth of life in Caithness: distance costs money, and if the state doesn’t step in, the market won’t.
11/6/2026 : Local Authority
For most people, council committee papers and audit reports are not the sort of documents that attract much attention. They are full of technical language, financial terminology and governance structures that can make even the most determined reader give up after a few pages.
8/6/2026 : Local Authority
£2 Bus Fare Scheme Drives Accessible and Sustainable Travel Across the Highlands With the school holidays approaching, The Highland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to make the most of the £2 single fare cap on its in-house bus services. The initiative is helping to make public transport more accessible and affordable, particularly for families looking for low-cost ways to travel during the summer months.
7/6/2026 : Local Authority
Highland Council's education committee members have praised the apprenticeship programmes offering more young people the chance to learn skills and equip them for the world of work. Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) and Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) in Highland are growing strongly, with participation now well above national averages.
6/6/2026 : Local Authority
The announcement of a six‑week consultation on the future of Thurso High School should have been a moment of clarity — a sign that after years of discussion, Highland Council was finally ready to move from aspiration to action. Instead, it has exposed a deeper truth about the state of capital investment in the Highlands - The numbers no longer add up.
5/6/2026 : Local Authority
The cost of living continues to place significant pressure on household finances, which affects the affordability of essential goods and services, particularly home energy, food and fuel. As these pressures persist, access to high‑quality advice, and clear information about the financial help and support available to residents across Highland is more important than ever.
4/6/2026 : Local Authority
Highland Council’s Education Committee has (3 June 2026) agreed to launch a statutory consultation on proposals to transform education provision in Thurso. The decision marks an important step in shaping future investment in Thurso’s schools, giving pupils, parents, staff and the wider community the opportunity to help influence how modern, high quality education provision is developed for the town.
3/6/2026 : Local Authority
Last week marked the start of patrols for The Highland Council’s 2026 Seasonal Access Rangers team, a dedicated group working to promote responsible enjoyment of the Highlands natural environment. Funded by The Highland Council, the team will play a key role in supporting visitors and local communities.
3/6/2026 : Local Authority
On Wednesday this week (3 June) The Highland Council is aiming to take a major step forward in strengthening its support for Gaelic, recognising the linguistic, educational, historical and cultural connections which exist right across our region. Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is to consider a recommendation to adopt a Highland‑wide designation as an Area of Linguistic Significance (ALS) for Gaelic under the Scottish Languages Act 2025.