South Ayrshire Tory bid fail

Last Thursday, May 18 the first full council meeting was held with the new elected body. During the meeting councillors to decide who would form the delegation for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA).

On Thursday, May 4 the conservative group in South Ayrshire won 12 seats, SNP nine, Labour five and two independent candidates were elected. 

But SNP, Labour and the independents have joined forces to run the council, kicking the Tories out. CoSLA is the voice of Local Government in Scotland and the local Conservative group felt they deserved more representation.

CoSLA aim to provide political leadership on national issues, and work with councils to improve local services and strengthen local democracy.

Last week a decision was made to allow a representative to each party to become a member of the board. But the conservatives wanted two of their members to serve at the national body.

The initial movement read: "The panel advises that the CoSLA constitution now requires that delegations reflect the balance of party political representation within the council."

But the conservatives wanted this amended. Their proposal read: "The amendment advises that the Conservative Group are entitled to two positions as per the CoSLA rules and wish to accept these positions."

Cllr Martin Dowey said: "There should be a fair balance of parties in the council. We have the right to two positions not just one."

A vote was taken and the amendment was outvoted by 16 votes to 12.
A CoSLA Spokesman said: "CoSLA’s approach is, in the first instance, to allow individual member councils to decide what they regard as a delegation that reflects the balance of party political strength within each member council. 

"CoSLA recognises that there is a range of arrangements within member councils, including formal and informal coalitions and partnerships, and would wish to allow each council to reach its own view on what is a balanced delegation."