Sweetness and light in the council chamber

THE view this week is really from the Council Chamber for the new council had their first formal meeting on May 21 and top posts were allocated. Winifred Sloan is Provost again – and will continue her Civic Pride programme. Leader of the council is Conservative Hugh Hunter. The principal leadership panel is made up of Tories, (the majority party) but all the other senior posts have been distributed between the SNP, Labour and Independent
The council is taking on a exciting new format – Cabinet style they call it - which involves a new range of panels (instead of committees)_- but it is felt this will give a better standard of service from all of us. The Cabinet will have the job of making the decisions and the Scrutiny committees will have the chance to review these before they are implemented. This is supposed to give a greater opportunity for public debate. It is early days for councillors and officers – so it will be a challenge for everyone to make it work.
The Council meeting went remarkable smoothly considering this was the first time four different parties faced each other across the council chamber – and there was remarkably little cross party sniping. Long may it continue for the new partnership style of local government is all about us working well together.
June 5 sees the council getting down to the serious business of running South Ayrshire – I will keep you posted. Of my wide range of positions - from panels to outside bodies – I think I will find the Regulatory Panel which deals with planning and the Licensing Board the most interesting.
Those living in the rural part of South Ayrshire will be pleased to know that the Rural Committee has been maintained and of course the various Community Councils can look forward to receiving real money to work with in the coming year - £2,000 for the smallest rising to £5,000.
Speaking of Community Councils – the ward of Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton, has five so it should be fun trying to cover them all – particularly as some meet on the same night. This might be where having four councillors for the ward may prove an advantage – we can split up so that everyone is looked after and the views expressed relayed to the other councillors.