Thursday’s North Ayrshire Council Election saw the SNP take an additional four seats, making them the largest political group and putting them in poll position to form the local authority’s new administration.
The Nationalists emerged with 12 councillors to Labour’s 11. Six Independents and one Tory hold the balance of power.
There were two major casualties from the previous administration: In Irvine West the SNP’s Ruth Maguire took the scalp of Tory Provost Pat McPhee, while the Nats’ Cathy McMillan took-out Labour’s John Reid in Dalry & West Kilbride. Mr Reid had previously been Deputy Leader of the Council.
In the Three Towns there was only one change – Arran-based SNP candidate John Bruce replaced fellow islander Margie Currie who stood down at the Election. Also in the Ardrossan & Arran seat, Independent John Hunter was the first to be returned, followed by the SNP’s Tony Gurney and Labour’s Peter McNamara.
All four sitting councillors were re-elected in the Saltcoats & Stevenston Ward – Willie Gibson (SNP), Ronnie McNicol (Independent), Jim Montgomerie (Labour) and Alan Munro (Labour). However, following the count at the Magnum Centre in Irvine, concerns were being expressed over the high number of postal votes in part of Stevenston, many of which were believed to have applied for a ‘waiver’ that meant they could be submitted without the voter’s signature.
It is expected the SNP will seek support from Independents to provide the overall majority the party needs to form an administration. However, it is unlikely a formal coalition would be formed and the Nationalists may need to take issues forward on a case-by-case basis.
the3towns also understands the SNP will need to appoint a new Group Leader after veteran councillor Matthew Brown (Irvine West) indicated he would be standing down from the position.
Full Three Towns results:
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