A total of four candidates have been nominated for a by-election taking place on 2 February 2006 to fill a vacant seat on South Ayrshire Council in Electoral Ward No 27 - North Carrick and Maybole East . The poll will be open from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm that day.

The vacancy has occurred following the resignation of Councillor Andy Hill, who was elected to the Maybole ward in 1995, and who, since May, 1999, when the number of wards was increased, and the Maybole ward split, had represented the then newly created North Carrick and Maybole East ward.

The candidates nominated for the by-election are:

Brian Connolly, Independent

Ann Galbraith, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Candidate

Sandra Goldie, The Scottish Labour Party Candidate

William McCubbin, Scottish National Party (SNP)

The ward covers all of Maybole east of the Glasgow/Stranraer railway line and the villages of Kirkmichael and Straiton. Four polling places will be used - Cairn Primary School and St Cuthbert's Church Hall in Maybole, McCosh Hall, Kirkmichael and the McCandlish Hall, Straiton.

Any suitably qualified elector who is not able to attend the appropriate polling station to cast a vote can apply to vote by post. Applications have to be received by Wednesday 25 January by the Electoral Registration Officer, Ayrshire Valuation Joint Board, 9 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1HL (01292) 612515). A ballot paper will then be posted out with a pre-paid return envelope to enable a completed voting form to be returned.

The counting of all votes will take place in Maybole Town Hall, immediately following the close of poll with the result expected by 10.15 pm.

At the May, 2003, South Ayrshire Council Election, Andy Hill, Scottish Labour Party candidate was returned with a majority of 262.

January 2006