SNP group on D&G Council say they have officially called for a vote of no confidence
The SNP group on Dumfries and Galloway Council say they have officially called for a vote of no confidence in the leadership.
It comes after seven Conservative councillors left the party, making the SNP the biggest group.
Councillor Gail MacGregor has been the leader of the Conservative administration since 2023, when an SNP-led rainbow coalition collapsed.
SNP group business manager Councillor Katie Hagmann told ITV Border her party had submitted a no confidence motion that has received cross party support.
The vote is expected to take place at a special full council meeting in the coming days.
In February, councillors voted through the opposition SNP budget.
Councillor Katie Hagmann said the administration was in 'disarray.'
She added: 'We have submitted a motion of no confidence in the current administration. There is likely to be an announcement of a full council meeting and we are calling for the removal of the convener and the deputy convener, which is also the leader of Dumfries and Galloway council.
"It is not acceptable the way that the administration is acting and the SNP group are the biggest group within the whole of the council and this is an snp budget that's been passed.
"We've got business to do, we've got to deliver for the people of Dumfries and Galloway and we're determined to do that."
The Conservative rebels have formed two separate groups.
Councillors Andrew Giusti, Chrissie Hill, David Inglis and Richard Marsh have formed a new group called Novantae.
The three other councillors Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood, have formed a separate independent group.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: 'We wish them well.'
The rebellion means that the Conservative group shrinks from 16 to nine and raises questions over the viability of the current administration.
The political make-up of the council is now: 11 SNP members; nine Scottish Conservatives; eight Scottish Labour; one Scottish Liberal Democrat; 14 independent / other.
A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Council said: 'Dumfries and Galloway Council can confirm that seven councillors have resigned from the Conservative group. The council's website has been updated.
'Four of the councillors have formed a new political group called Novantae – councillors Richard Marsh, Chrissie Hill, Andrew Giusti and David Inglis.
'Three of the councillors have informed council officers that they have set up a separate group and they intend to call it The Dumfries and Galloway Independent Group. These are councillors Ian Carruthers, Karen Carruthers and Andrew Wood.
'The council will not be commenting further at this time.'
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