Councillor Iain Nicolson is in line to continue as Renfrewshire Council leader in the new term after he was re-elected head of the SNP group for the coming year.
The development follows their success on Friday, which saw them return 21 members – two more than their figure in the 2017 council election.
He will be supported in his leadership role by Councillor Jacqueline Cameron after she was elected depute leader.
She replaces Councillor Jim Paterson, who – despite returning in the Renfrew South and Gallowhill ward – did not put himself forward for the post.
Backing at the group's AGM on Monday evening will see Councillor Nicolson nominated at the next meeting of full council on Thursday, May 19 – at which point he is expected to win the required votes to be re-elected local authority leader.
That would see Councillor Nicolson enter his sixth year as council leader.
Speaking about his re-election as group leader, Councillor Nicolson said: "I’m delighted that the group have chosen me to lead them but also the strong team that makes up the group leadership, including a new depute group leader Councillor Jacqueline Cameron.
"I want to express my thanks to Councillor Jim Paterson for his pivotal role as depute for the last five years.
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"We have a very focussed group with a refreshed drive and mandate to continue to build upon our achievements over the last five years.
"Our main priorities will be covid recovery, creating new employment opportunities and tackling the cost of living crisis which is already impacting on many in our local communities.
"We are very clear on our priorities. While Tory ministers come out fighting on behalf of big oil and energy companies, we as a caring council will continue to protect and support our more vulnerable citizens and provide the day to day services that people expect and rely upon."
Meanwhile, Councillor Lorraine Cameron will be put forward as provost, while Councillor Cathy McEwan will be nominated for the depute provost position.
Councillor Nicolson was re-elected in Erskine and Inchinnan with 1,381 first preference votes alongside ward colleague Councillor Michelle Campbell, who had a similarly strong share in 1,213.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the count on Friday, he said: "It was a great result in our ward, we worked hard at it.
"We put the effort to get both candidates elected successfully.
"It was a really good result from our perspective. We don't take the votes for granted.
"We went out and worked as if we were fighting for every single vote."
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