New North Ayrshire Council, new intentions?

John Bruce, as the Arran-based new councillor, told the Voice that better communication would be a high priority for the SNP group. He said, ‘It will be our intention to provide as a council a regular factual news service and a much-improved NAC website.’ This is very good news, as NAC has in the past compared very badly with Argyll and Bute, which provides a constant stream of information. 

The election results are of course well known. Tony Gurney (SNP) swept home well ahead of the field, with 982 votes, followed by Arran resident John Bruce, also SNP, with 837. Independent John Hunter came third with 792 and Labour’s Peter McNamara made it into fourth place with 721.

Marc Head of Whiting Bay, whose campaign consisted of a single sheet of ideas, made available to everyone through shops and Post Offices, had a strong following, and clocked up the impressive score of 588 votes. Probably unknown on the mainland, this demonstrated strong support from Arran. Better luck next time!

North Ayrshire Council now has a narrow SNP majority, with 12 representatives to Labour’s 11. The six Independents, plus a single Scottish Conservative, will hold a pivotal situation in any vote, so it will be interesting to see what priorities will emerge for the newly constituted body.