Cllr Derek Wann is the Deputy Leader of Angus Council.
There is an old saying in politics that it is easy to criticise from the opposition benches, but governing is where the real test begins. Over the past year, serving as Deputy Leader of Angus Council has reinforced that truth every day.
When our Conservative-led administration took office in April 2025, it marked a significant moment in Angus politics. The change did not come through a scheduled election. It followed a period of instability within the SNP administration, which lost its majority after two councillors left the group to sit as Independents. That created the opportunity and responsibility for a new administration to lead the council.
Our focus was never on how we arrived in office. The people of Angus cared far more about what we would do once we got there. They expected leadership, stability, and delivery, and that has guided every decision we have made.
Like councils across Scotland, Angus faced growing financial pressures, rising demand for services and a declared housing emergency. Storm Babet had also left a lasting impact on communities across the county. When we took office, many residents were frustrated by the pace of recovery. We made it a priority to work with officers and partner agencies to accelerate decisions, remove barriers and move projects forward. There is still much to do, but I believe we have demonstrated the urgency and determination local communities deserved.
Housing quickly became one of our defining priorities. Across Scotland, too many families struggle to find an affordable home, while too many young people feel they have little choice but to leave the communities where they grew up. Recognising the problem was never enough; we needed to act.
Within two years of taking office, seven new council housing sites will have commenced, delivering 219 new council homes across Angus. These are more than figures in a committee report. They represent security for families, opportunities for young people and investment in the future of our communities.
Strong financial management has been equally important. Every local authority faces difficult choices as costs rise, and expectations continue to grow. Responsible stewardship of public money rarely attracts headlines, but it underpins everything a successful council seeks to achieve. Our approach has been simple: protect frontline services where possible, make informed decisions and ensure taxpayers receive value for money.
Regeneration has also been a major priority. Strong town centres and thriving local economies require long-term commitment rather than short-term thinking. Angus has been given a tremendous opportunity through the £20 million Long-Term Plan for Towns funding awarded to Arbroath over the next decade by the previous Conservative Government under Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Following the General Election, there was understandable uncertainty over whether that commitment would survive. To the Labour Government’s credit, the investment has been retained, albeit with revised guidance on delivery. The politics matters less than the outcome. What matters is that this once-in-a-generation investment will help regenerate Arbroath, support local businesses, improve public spaces and create opportunities for future generations.
That reflects something I have always believed about local government. While political differences are inevitable, residents expect councillors to work together whenever it benefits their communities. Our administration is Conservative led, but it also brings together colleagues from different political backgrounds who share a determination to deliver for Angus. We will not agree on every national issue, but we have found common ground on the priorities that matter most to local people.
Balancing my role in local government with a career in business has reinforced another important lesson. Leadership is measured not by promises but by delivery. Businesses succeed through sound financial management, long-term planning, and accountability. Those principles are equally important in public service.
As we approach the local elections in May 2027, I believe Angus has made real progress, but there is much more to do. Increasing housing supply, supporting economic growth, continuing the regeneration of our towns, and protecting the services residents rely upon will all require steady leadership and responsible decision-making.
That is why I intend to seek re-election next May. Not because public office is an end, but because I believe there is still more to contribute. Serving as Deputy Leader has been one of the greatest privileges of my public life, and I remain optimistic about what Angus can achieve.
Local government may rarely dominate the national headlines, but it has perhaps the greatest influence on people’s daily lives. It shapes the homes we build, the roads we maintain, the communities we support and the opportunities we create. If the people of Angus place their trust in us again next May, my commitment will remain exactly as it has since April 2025: to provide stable, responsible Conservative leadership, focus on delivery over rhetoric and help ensure Angus continues to thrive.