Insight into the unsuccessful first meeting

At their first meeting since elections were held on 3 May, councillors failed to agree on the composition of the ruling group on the authority.

The Conservatives - with 18 members in the 47-member council - had proposed Ivor Hyslop as the new leader.

However, this was voted down by all other groups on the council in favour of adjourning the meeting until 24 May.

The Tory group had proposed Mr Hyslop as leader of the council with Patsy Gilroy in the civic role of convener.

The electorate voted very, very clearly for a change and so far all we have is indecision and games Councillor Bruce Hodgson

However, SNP councillor Alistair Geddes said he felt that the failure of political talks to agree an administration meant such a decision was "precipitous".

He was told it would be feasible to continue matters for nine days until the next meeting of the authority on 24 May.

The situation was condemned by Labour group leader Ronnie Nicholson as "a sad day for democracy" when no agreement could be reached some 12 days after the elections.

He blamed the SNP's failure to enter into negotiations for the delay.

Conservative Bruce Hodgson, who had proposed Mr Hyslop as leader, agreed that the delay sent out the wrong message to the public.

"It does show that some people have not learned their lesson," he said.

"The electorate voted very, very clearly for a change and so far all we have is indecision and games."

Claims rejected

SNP group leader Robert Higgins rejected claims that his party had caused the hitch in selecting an administration.

He said that as the smallest of the three main groups on the council the SNP was waiting to receive concrete coalition proposals from either Labour or the Conservatives.

"There is no way we would like to delay any agreement," he said.

Councillors then voted on the proposal to elect Mr Hyslop to the post of leader.