VOTERS IN ELGIN will have an opportunity to put their candidates to public examination with a Hustings being organised by the local Community Council.

The City and Royal Burgh of Elgin Community Council has organised the public event to examine candidates for the Elgin City North and Elgin City South wards.

Taking place on Tuesday, April 18 from 6.30pm until 9.15pm, the Hustings will be held in the Alexander Graham Bell Centre at Moray College UHI.

Alastair Kennedy, Chair of the City and Royal Burgh of Elgin Community Council, who will be chairing the hustings said: “We are really excited about this event. Community councils are in a key position to host an election hustings.

“Candidates appreciate the opportunity to address their prospective constituents and voters are keen to hear directly from those standing for election. We are hopeful all of those aspiring to become councillors will be able to attend and that the people of Elgin will appreciate a Hustings being held in their city.”

The community council hope that by holding the event it will allow the electorate a chance to directly engage effectively with the candidates – and address the sense of disconnect many voters feel for the political process.

All ten candidates will be invited to take part, and it will be an excellent chance to hear them in person and to discuss matters important to the people of Elgin in a local context.

The candidates declared for the Elgin North Ward are Billy Adams (Independent), Frank Brown (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), Sandy Cooper (Independent), Paula Coy (SNP), Patsy Gowans (SNP) and Nick Taylor (Scottish Labour).

Those declared for the Elgin South Ward are John Divers (Scottish Labour), Graham Leadbitter (SNP), Sean Malone (Independent) and Ray McLean (Scottish Conservative and Unionist).

More on the event or general news on the Elgin Community Council is available from their Facebook page.