ALLOA councillor Craig Holden has made the decision to once again serve as an independent in Clackmannanshire South.

The former SNP member made the decision after feeling he had lost touch with the party’s values for the ward.

He said: “I spoke to the group and quite simply, it became clear that over the course of the past few months that my views and the views of the group were widely different.

“There were so many key issues that I did not agree with the group approach on and I felt that for the cohesion of the party, it was best that I wasn’t there.

“It’s as simple as that – there was just a major difference on views and on how we proceed as an administration.

“I felt that my continued presence in the group would not be beneficial in terms of cohesion so I discussed it with the group and we decided it was in the best interests myself and the group if I wasn’t a part of it.”

Craig was part of the group that formed the SNP administration at Clackmannanshire Council in May of this year.

He served as the deputy provost and deputy convener until his decision to leave the SNP and step down from his roles.

He will continue to serve the Wee County and hosts a fortnightly surgery on Fridays in the Bowmar Centre between 4pm and 5pm.