North Lanarkshire Toast (09/03/16)
I think this sinking ship is a fair representation of Labour-run North Lanarkshire Council as its new leader, Councillor Jim Logue, takes over the reins from Jim McCabe.
If you ask me, the Labour Group's only hope of averting complete meltdown in the 2016 council elections is to establish an independent inquiry into the terrible dog's dinner that North Lanarkshire has made of its pay arrangements over the past two decades.
Otherwise, the new leader and his Labour colleagues will be 'toast.'
North Lanarkshire councillors resign from Labour group
Image copyright - North Lanarkshire Labour Image caption The councillors resigned on Jim Logue's first day as the new leader
Four senior councillors have resigned from the ruling Labour group on North Lanarkshire Council.
They left on the new council leader Jim Logue's first day in charge of the administration.
The four are Motherwell North members Helen McKenna and Peter Nolan, Wishaw councillor Sam Love, the convener of housing, and Coatbridge councillor Jim Smith.
They are expected to stay on as independents.
Mr Logue criticised the four councillors' actions which came after they failed to secure senior positions.
Four senior councillors have resigned from the ruling Labour group on North Lanarkshire Council.
They left on the new council leader Jim Logue's first day in charge of the administration.
The four are Motherwell North members Helen McKenna and Peter Nolan, Wishaw councillor Sam Love, the convener of housing, and Coatbridge councillor Jim Smith.
They are expected to stay on as independents.
Mr Logue criticised the four councillors' actions which came after they failed to secure senior positions.
'Undignified and unappealing'
"It was always going to be the case that some were unhappy with the necessary changes as we move to refresh and re-energise," he said.
"Their stance is undignified, uninspiring and unappealing. I'm not going to waste time on people who are concerned only about themselves and their own petty agendas and they are not my focus.
"I'm delighted with the team I have around me and we're moving on. My responsibility is to put people in place who can drive forward services and deliver for the people of North Lanarkshire and that's what I've done."
Labour still has a substantial majority on the council.
The ruling Labour Group unanimously elected Councillor Logue to replace outgoing council leader Jim McCabe.
