THE role of the Wee County's provost will be set for a change if agreed by newly-elected councillors today.

Elected members are set to gather in person for Clackmannanshire Council's first statutory meeting since the local government election with an amendment to the current role of provost among the first items on the agenda.

The change would create two separate roles, splitting the administrative and civic duties of provost, “resulting in a greater distinction”.

If agreed, the change will see the provost taking on civic and ceremonial duties while the proposed role of convener of Clackmannanshire Council will be created to take on the administrative side.

The convener will provide leadership for the effective governance of the council and will have the casting vote to break ties in the Kilncraigs chamber.

In previous cycles, the provost – a role taken on by now-retired Provost Tina Murphy in the past 10 years – has been chairing council meetings, but this would become the remit of the convener.

The convener will have several other duties, including the development of effective working relationships between councillors and officials, as well as partnership working with the UK and Scottish governments.

Documents tabled for the meeting on Wednesday, May 25, said: “The increased workload on the provost over the last few years has proved challenging.

“Separating the administrative and the civic duties of the role aims to provide an enhanced service to the citizens of Clackmannanshire, strengthening the relationships with the community and its partners, whilst sustaining robust administrative arrangements for conducting the council’s business.”

If the changes get to go-ahead, the provost will take on duties at ceremonial occasions, hosting events, promoting the county and raising the profile of Clackmannanshire, helping to maintain effective relationships with partner organisations.

Each role will come with its own deputy.

The first statutory meeting will also see the council decide the political balance on its standing committees, such as planning, while appointments will also be made to the Licensing Board.

As previously reported, Clackmannanshire has elected nine SNP, five Labour, three Conservative and for the first time, a Green representative.

Councillors will also be asked to decide on representations on outside bodies.

These will include the COSLA Convention, NHS Forth Valley Board, the Integrated Joint Board for health and social care, the City Region Deal Joint Committee, Clackmannanshire Alliance, Central Scotland Valuation Joint Board and more.

Members may also be appointed to a number of trusts, with criteria yet to be confirmed, including Alloa Day Home Trust, Clackmannan District Brass Band Trust and others.