32 councillors abstained from policy board vote

Thirty-two councillors abstained from a vote about who should fill a vacancy on a key Renfrewshire Council board in unusual circumstances at a summit last week.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Conservative group leader Neill Graham and independent John Hood contested for a space on the infrastructure, land and environment policy board at Thursday's full council meeting.

However, a majority - made up of SNP and Labour politicians - formally declined to vote one way or the other in the chambers in what has been dubbed a "very unique situation" by an unnamed elected member.

In the end, Councillor Hood secured the spot on the board after receiving a total of seven votes against four who had opted for Councillor Graham.