Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader steps down
Alex Nicoll has led the SNP group since January 2020
Last updated 29th Jan 2024
The co-leader of Aberdeen City Council is to step down just a year into leading the administration.
Councillor Alex Nicoll, 65, will give up his position as leader of the SNP group, though will remain a councillor for the Kincorth/Nigg/Cove ward.
Cllr Nicoll led the 2022 election campaign for the SNP, that saw a record 20 councillors elected.
"I believe that I have laid a firm foundation for whoever my successor is"
"It has been a real honour to lead this council and to serve the good folk of Aberdeen", he said in a statement prior to the groups AGM on Monday evening.
"I turned 65 last week and I have taken some time since then to reflect on what I want to do and commit to going forward.
"After discussions with my family and friends, I have decided not to seek re-election as leader at the SNP group’s upcoming AGM.
"I am incredibly thankful to the many people who have supported me on my journey, which has taken me from growing up in Heathryfold to leading Aberdeen City Council.
"With my upcoming departure as council co-leader, I would like to pay a particular thank you to all of our council staff for their hard work and their commitment to our city and our citizens.
"I believe that I have laid a firm foundation for whoever my successor is. Our council has now re-built relations with the Scottish Government so that we can work together for the benefit of this city, we have established new committees that will lead the fight against both poverty and climate change, and we have delivered not just a school estates review but also put in place a budget to deliver the city’s first green academy.
"I will continue to work tirelessly for my constituents and will offer what support I can to my successor. However, I am looking forward to having a little more time to spend with friends and family in the coming weeks."
Who next?
The group will decide on their next leader at their AGM on Monday evening.
Current depute leader, Cllr Miranda Radley, could be in line for a promotion. Upon Nicoll's decision not to re-stand, she said
"We are all thankful to Alex for his hard work over the last three years as group leader. Personally, I am also thankful for all of the support and guidance he has offered to me as a fellow ward councillor and as his depute.
"It was an honour to nominate Alex as co-leader last year and he has steered the council through an exceptionally tough 12 months. Our council is in a better place thanks to Alex’s leadership and he leaves behind a strong foundation for his successor to build on."
Cllr Alexander McLellan has also been a prominent figure on council since the SNP/Lib Dem partnership took the reigns last May.
As finance convener, he delivered a controversial budget at the start of March that has sparked ongoing protests and legal action over the closures of six libraries and Bucksburn Swimming Pool.
Cllr Christain Allard offers experience should he be chosen, though he was also at the heart of controversy earlier this year after claiming Big Noise Torry made "no impact whatsoever" as their funding was cut in March's budget.
Allard was an MSP for three years between 2013 and 2016, before being elected to council in 2017. He was also an MEP for six months prior to the UK leaving the EU.