South Ayrshire Council is taking steps to ensure it is geared up for the Local Authority Elections next year, and is prepared for any implications or resultant changes that may occur afterwards.

A special Working Group is being set up comprising six Councillors and appropriate senior officers nominated by the Council’s Chief Executive, Tom Cairns.

The next local Council Elections in Scotland are due to be held, on a combined basis with the Scottish Parliament Elections, in May 2007.

The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee has approved the setting up of the special Working Group, and has asked that recommendations produced by the Group should be submitted to the committee.

Explaining the reasoning for the setting up of the Working Group, Tom Cairns said: “The Council is making sure that it is ready for next year’s election and any consequences relating to it. It is quite obvious that a number of issues and implications arise for the Council as a result of the introduction of the new voting system within Scottish Local Government.

“These issues include matters such as future decision-making structures, the rules and reporting arrangements related to those structures, the further development of the Councillors’ scrutiny role within the new Local Authority set-up and the skills and support required to be provided to the Councillors.

“The Working Group is tasked with ensuring that the Council, and the new set of Councillors elected next May can be as well prepared as possible to face the challenges and expectations of the new framework.”

July 2006