Nairn River Community Council chairman survives bid to unseat him but rift intensifies at a stormy online meeting with scenes reminiscent of the Handforth Parish Council which became an internet sensation in December
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A bid to unseat a community council chairman failed at a stormy online meeting last week.
Nairn River Community Council has been divided for months with a group trying to remove Chairman Hamish Bain claiming he is failing to represent the people he is meant to be serving.
At the group's annual general meeting earlier this year Mr Bain was elected on the cut of a pack of cards with the members' vote split 6-6. Cards were used to appoint all office bearers with councillors divided.
With scenes reminiscent of the Handforth Parish Council which became an internet sensation in December there were angry exchanges as the chairman's opponents insisted he was not allowing them a voice on the council.
The meeting was attended by all twelve members and 13 members of the public.
Mr Bain insisted under Highland Council's scheme of establishment for community councils he was entitled to vote for himself.
The vote was again split 6-6 and the motion of no confidence failed.
When opponents tried to continue discussion and as tempers became frayed he left the meeting which was then brought to a close by former Secretary Mandy Lawson.
There were angry exchanges when the chairman used his casting vote to approve minutes of a meeting held in February. The minutes had been prepared by newly appointed secretary Mr Simon Noble but had been revised by Mr Bain who stated the original contained 'personalised and inflamatory comment'.
Councillor David Thomson, spoke in defence of the chairman. He said there was an orchestrated attempt to remove the Chairman with six letters received from members of the public supporting the vote of no confidence. He added Mr Noble was 'incompetent' and 'needed to up his game'.
Nairn BID Chairman Peter Gibson who was recently elected to the council and attended the meeting online from Canada said: "Do the public of Nairn a favour (Hamish) – resign."
