Black Isle by-election result

20th December 2013

The by-election for a councillor to represent the Black Isle Ward on The Highland Council has been won by Mrs Jennifer Barclay, who will join the Independent Group on the Council.

Mrs Barclay was one of eight candidates who contested the vacancy, following the death of her husband, Councillor Billy Barclay. She joins Councillors David Alston (Liberal Democrat), Craig Fraser (SNP) and Isobel McCallum (Independent) in representing the Black Isle Ward.

Voting was by the single transferable vote and Mrs Barclay emerged as the winner at the sixth stage of the count, gaining a total of 1,343 votes.

The electorate was 8,613 and the total number of votes cast were 3,084 votes, giving a turn out of 35.81%. There were 23 spoilt votes.

Mrs Barclay said: “I am very delighted and I think Billy would be very proud of me. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and everyone who helped me with my campaign, especially my daughter, Paula, and sons Christopher, Steven and Mark and my son-in-law Norman. I now look forward to representing constituents on the Black Isle on The Highland Council.”

The other candidates were:

· Myra Carus, Rosemarkie, (Scottish Green Party)

· Shaun Finlayson, Avoch, (Scottish Labour Party

· Bill Fraser, Fortrose, (Independent)

· Jackie Hendry, Tore, (Scottish National Party, SNP)

· Douglas MacLean, Avoch, (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

· George Normington, North Kessock, (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

· Gwyn Phillips, Rosemarkie, (Independent)

The Highland Council is made up of 80 elected members. The new representation is Independent 34, SNP 21, Liberal Democrats 14, Labour 8, Independent Nationalist 1, Non-aligned 2.

Voting Results -
Jennifer, BARCLAY, Independent 1,342 wife of the late Councillor Billy Barclay who died recently

Myra CARUS, Scottish Green Party 362

Shaun, FINLAYSON, Scottish Labour Party 194

Bill FRASER, Independent 633

Jackie HENDRY, Scottish National Party (SNP) 594
wife of the current SNP leader of the council Drew Hendry

Douglas MACLEAN, Scottish Conservative and Unionist 175

George NORMINGTON, Scottish Liberal Democrats 489

Gwyn PHILLIPS, Independent 304

 

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