Grant Laing has resigned as leader of Perth and Kinross Council, citing personal reasons in a move that has surprised political colleagues. The councillor, who was first elected to represent the Strathtay ward in 2012, has also left the Scottish National Party and will now sit as an independent. Laing had been named council leader following the 2022 Scottish council elections.

Deputy leader Eric Drysdale will serve as acting leader until the next full council meeting on October 29. Drysdale described Laing's decision as coming "as a shock to all of his councillor colleagues" but pledged that the council would "step up our efforts to fill the gap his departure will leave." The resignation was announced through a brief update on the council's official website.

Colleagues acknowledged Laing's three-and-a-half-year tenure, noting his "wholehearted commitment to our group's core principles underpinned by a vision of a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality." The council has declined to provide further details about the personal reasons behind Laing's sudden departure from both the leadership role and the SNP.

The SNP has confirmed to media outlets that Laing is no longer a party member. The resignation comes as a political blow to First Minister John Swinney, who represents the Perthshire North constituency in Holyrood. Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser described the situation as "yet more chaos" in Swinney's backyard from what he characterized as a "failing administration."

Shed Seven, the Yorkshire Britpop legends, have announced a special one-off summer 2026 performance at Halifax's Piece Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark 1996 album 'A Maximum High'. The band will deliver a full album performance followed by a second set of greatest hits during the Live At The Piece Hall concert series on June 6. This Halifax date will represent Shed Seven's only headline show of summer 2026, making it a particularly significant event for both the band and their dedicated fanbase.

The anniversary concert will feature special guest performances from Seb Lowe and The Guest List, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Tickets for this exclusive event are scheduled to go on general sale at 10am on Friday, October 24, available through major ticketing platforms including Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and the Piece Hall's official website. The band's return to the Halifax venue follows their previous 2021 performance at the historic courtyard, establishing a continuing relationship with the West Yorkshire location.

'A Maximum High' represented a defining moment in Shed Seven's career, reaching the UK top 10 and selling more than 250,000 copies while spawning five Top 40 singles. Band frontman Rick Witter expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, stating the band is 'looking forward to giving A Maximum High the birthday party it deserves' and noting particular excitement about 'revisiting some of the songs we haven't played for decades.' The event promises to attract fans from across the country for what organizers describe as a 'one night only' celebratory event.

Shed Seven joins a diverse lineup of artists scheduled for the 2026 Live At The Piece Hall series, including Embrace, Ethel Cain, David Gray, Billy Ocean, Opeth and The Ks. The band's upcoming schedule also includes appearances at the Isle Of Wight Festival in June, featuring headliners Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure, followed by a supporting performance for Richard Ashcroft at Englefield Estate in Berkshire as part of the Heritage Live series in July. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, emphasized the significance of hosting these 'Yorkshire heroes' back at the venue for this milestone celebration.