With immediate effect, Cllr Stephen Thompson becomes leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council while Cllr Richard Brodie is appointed depute leader.

In matters relating to Full Council, Cllr Thompson remains convener while Cllr Archie Dryburgh becomes depute convener (civic head) and Cllr Brodie is appointed depute convener (depute leader).

Following the special meeting, convener Stephen Thompson, depute convener (civic head) Archie Dryburgh and depute convener (depute leader) Richard Brodie released a joint statement: “We said at the start of our new Administration in May we would aim to have a new outlook, but with shared ambitions and goals. Our new leadership arrangements will help us to work together, more closely, to find common ground, for the benefit of everyone in Dumfries and Galloway.

“Since the election, our new partnership Administration has already forged a strong working relationship, based on common priorities and mutual trust. We have proved we can work together by doing things differently. We aim to include all councillors, whatever their political ideology, in the decision-making process.”

They added: “We will carry on with our first commitment to tackle the cost-of-living increases, and protect, as far as we can, our most vulnerable individuals and communities from its effects. In addition, we will strive to put in place the best opportunities for our children and young people.

“We will prioritise the maintenance of our roads and also promote the region’s traditional assets and industries, while seeking new opportunities in an effort to boost our local economy.

“We aspire to greater things for Dumfries and Galloway, it is not ‘us versus them’, but the sharing of a spectrum of ideas that will make our new leadership arrangements work for the people we serve.”