2017 North Ayrshire Council election

Elections to North Ayrshire Council took place on 4 May 2017 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections.

2017 North Ayrshire Council election
← 2012 4 May 2017 (2017-05-04) 2022 →

All 33 seats to North Ayrshire Council
17 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
SNP
Lab
Leader Marie Burns Joe Cullinane
Party SNP Labour
Leader's seat Irvine East Kilwinning
Last election 12 seats, 35.6% 11 seats, 31.4%
Seats won 11 11
Seat change Decrease 1 Steady
Popular vote 16,664 12,320
Percentage 35.2% 26.1%
Swing Decrease 0.4% Decrease 5.3%

  Third party Fourth party
 
Con
Ind
Leader Tom Marshall Jean Highgate
Party Conservative Independent
Leader's seat North Coast and Cumbraes Kilbirnie and Beith
Last election 1 seats, 9.3% 6 seats, 19.0%
Seats won 7 4
Seat change Increase 6 Decrease 2
Popular vote 11,099 6,130
Percentage 23.5% 13.0%
Swing Increase 13.6% Decrease 6.0%

Council Leader before election

Joe Cullinane
(Labour)
No overall control

Council Leader after election

Joe Cullinane
(Labour)
No overall control

The election used the ten wards created as a result of the Fifth Statutory Review of Electoral Arrangements, with each ward electing three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system, a form of proportional representation, with 33 councillors being elected.

After the election, the Labour Party took control of the authority as a minority administration with outgoing council Leader Joe Cullinane being reappointed.[1][2]

Election result

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2017 North Ayrshire Council election result
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  SNP 11 2 3   1 33.3 35.2 16,644   0.4
  Labour 11 2 2   33.3 26.1 12,320   5.3
  Conservative 7 6 0   6 21.2 23.5 11,099   14.2
  Independent 4 2 4   2 12.1 13.0 6,130   6.0
  Scottish Green 0 0 0   0.0 0.9 439 New
  No Referendum Maintain Union Pro-Brexit 0 0 0   0.0 0.5 238 New
  Scottish Socialist 0 0 0   0.0 0.3 165   0.5
  UKIP 0 0 0   0.0 0.2 106   0.3
  Socialist Labour 0 0 0   0.0 0.2 76   0.9
  TUSC 0 0 0   0.0 0.1 42  
Total 33 47,259

Source: [3]

Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 3 May 2012. There were three more seats in this election than the previous and, as a result, this may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.

Ward results

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Irvine West

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Labour retained both their seats while the SNP retained one seat and lost one seat to the Conservatives.

Irvine West - 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Labour Ian Clarkson (incumbent) 27.7 1,249            
Conservative Scott Gallacher 22.7 1,025            
SNP Shaun MacAulay 20.3 914            
SNP Maria Limonci 15.7 707 722 725 736 769 790  
Labour Louise McPhater (incumbent) 9.7 438 669 706 707 738 804 1,062
Scottish Green Andrew Craig 2.1 96 106 117 117      
Socialist Labour Bobby Cochrane 1.7 76 113 120 121 139    
Electorate: 11,984   Valid: 4,505   Spoilt: 121   Quota: 902   Turnout: 38.6%  

Source: [4][5]

Irvine East

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Boundary changes resulted in Irvine East being reduced in size from a four-member ward to a three-member ward. As a result, both the SNP and Labour retained only one of the two seats they had won at the previous election and the Conservatives gained one seat.

Irvine East - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
SNP Marie Burns (incumbent) 33.5 1,334          
Conservative Angela Stephen 26.7 1,065          
Labour John Easdale (incumbent) 16.2 646 664 676 716 846 1,403
Labour Irene Oldfather (incumbent) 13.4 536 547 566 598 672  
SNP Hugh Wilson 6.4 254 519 520 574    
Scottish Green Ross Collins 3.8 150 170 177      
Electorate: 9,922   Valid: 3,985   Spoilt: 83   Quota: 997   Turnout: 41.0%  

Source: [6][7]

Kilwinning

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Labour (2) and the SNP (1) retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the Conservatives gained one seat from former independent councillor Robert Steel.

Kilwinning - 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
Labour Joe Cullinane (incumbent) 33.9 1,949          
SNP Scott Davidson 25.5 1,466          
Conservative John Glover 21.3 1,224          
SNP Susan Johnson 8.0 460 501 768 770 776 859
Labour Donald Reid (incumbent) 7.00 402 1,011 1,019 1,041 1,073 1,152
Scottish Green Yvonne McLellan 3.4 193 232 251 258 274  
UKIP Matthew John Grainger 1.0 60 74 76 91    
Electorate: 13,420   Valid: 5,754   Spoilt: 151   Quota: 1,151   Turnout: 44.0%  

Source: [8][9]

Stevenston

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Stevenston was a new ward created from the former Saltcoats and Stevenston ward which was abolished. The new ward elected two Labour and one SNP councillors.

Stevenston - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SNP Davina McTiernan 21.5 782 790 808 826 1,373      
Labour John Sweeney 19.1 697 707 748 818 844 924    
SNP Chris Paton 16.5 601 605 620 630        
Labour Jimmy Miller[note 1] 15.9 579 592 604 636 654 736 744 961
Conservative Tom McCammont 15.7 573 587 603 631 639 657 658  
Independent Alan Munro[note 2] 4.7 172 192 230          
Independent Gerard Pollock 3.9 144 164            
Independent David Higgins 2.7 97              
Electorate: 9,565   Valid: 3,645   Spoilt: 133   Quota: 912   Turnout: 39.5%  

Source: [11][12]

Ardrossan and Arran

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Following boundary changes, Ardrossan and Arran returned one less member than the previous election. The SNP retained both the seats they won at the previous election. The Conservatives gained one seat and both Labour and former independent councillor John Hunter lost their seats.

Ardrossan and Arran - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
Conservative Timothy Billings 27.6 1,309          
SNP Ellen McMaster[note 3] 19.7 932 937 1,000 1,002 1,034 1,159
SNP Tony Gurney (incumbent) 19.6 930 932 946 955 1,092 1,245
Labour Clare McGuire 13.9 659 677 723 792 979  
Independent John Hunter (incumbent) 10.6 503 517 534 627    
No Referendum Maintain Union Pro-Brexit Gordon Allison 5.0 238 280 285      
Scottish Socialist Colin Turbett 3.5 165 170        
Electorate: 9,622   Valid: 4,736   Spoilt: 123   Quota: 1,185   Turnout: 50.5%  

Source: [14][15]

Dalry and West Kilbride

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The SNP and independent councillor Robert Barr retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the Conservatives gained one seat from independent candidate Elizabeth McLardy.

Dalry and West Kilbride - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
SNP Joy Brahim 23.8 1,219 1,223 1,247 1,289    
Conservative Todd Ferguson 22.2 1,137 1,137 1,177 1,247 1,247 1,314
Independent Robert Barr (incumbent) 19.3 990 995 1,147 1,222 1,223 1,361
Independent Kay Hall 11.7 599 600 619 780 782 867
Labour Paul Reid 8.4 432 437 468 498 499  
Independent Elizabeth McLardy (incumbent) 8.2 418 423 433      
Independent Sheena Woodside 5.9 301 307        
Independent John Willis 0.5 27          
Electorate: 10,027   Valid: 5,123   Spoilt: 91   Quota: 1,281   Turnout: 52.0%  

Source: [16][17]

Kilbirnie and Beith

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The SNP and Labour retained the seats they had won at the previous election and independent candidate Donald L. Reid gained a seat from retiring independent councillor Jean Highgate.

Kilbirnie and Beith - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5
SNP Anthea Dickson (incumbent) 22.3 1,057 1,061 1,091 1,617  
Independent Donald L. Reid 22.2 1,053 1,074 1,182 1,203  
Labour John Bell (incumbent) 19.5 925 1,031 1,062 1,096 1,235
Conservative Ted Nevill 14.9 705 712 731 735 751
SNP Margaret Johnson 12.1 574 576 610    
Independent James Smith 5.6 263 267      
Labour James Robson 3.3 156        
Electorate: 10,600   Valid: 4,733   Spoilt: 122   Quota: 1,184   Turnout: 45.8%  

Source: [18][19]

North Coast and Cumbraes

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The Conservatives and Labour retained the seats they had won at the previous election while the SNP held one seat and lost one seat to independent candidate Ian Murdoch.

North Coast and Cumbraes - 4 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
Conservative Tom Marshall (incumbent) 37.0 2,686          
SNP Alan Hill (incumbent) 19.4 1,406 1,450 1,451      
Labour Alex Gallagher (incumbent) 16.0 1,160 1,461        
SNP Grace McLean (incumbent) 14.8 1,075 1,091 1,091 1,092 1,112  
Independent Ian Murdoch 11.0 801 1,110 1,113 1,113 1,272 1,767
Independent Johnny McCloskey 1.7 124 239 241 241    
Electorate: 13,596   Valid: 7,252   Spoilt: 117   Quota: 1,451   Turnout: 54.2%  

Source: [20][21]

Saltcoats

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Saltcoats was a new ward created from parts of Ardrossan and Arran ward – which was retained but reduced in size – and the former Saltcoats and Stevenston ward which was abolished. The new ward elected one Labour, one SNP and one independent councillor.

Saltcoats - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Labour Jim Montgomerie[note 2] 30.7 1,279            
SNP Jean McClung 21.6 900 914 914 935 1,508    
Conservative Brandon Clydesdale 15.8 655 666 682 720 729 749  
SNP Roberta Bianchini 14.8 619 625 627 637      
Independent Ronnie McNicol[note 2] 13.7 570 599 612 677 696 860 1,175
Labour Valerie Reid 2.4 100 240 249        
UKIP Caroline Santos 1.1 46 48          
Electorate: 10,007   Valid: 4,169   Spoilt: 134   Quota: 1,043   Turnout: 43.0%  

Source: [22][23]

Irvine South

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Irvine South was a new ward created from parts of Irvine East and Irvine West which were retained but reduced in size. The new ward elected one SNP, one Conservative and one Labour councillor.

Irvine South - 3 seats
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
SNP Christina Larsen 21.8 733 743 752 771 789 1,437
Conservative Margaret George 21.4 720 722 742 768 820 829
SNP Robin Sturgeon 20.3 681 684 684 701 710  
Labour Robert Foster 20.1 676 681 695 1,033    
Labour David O'Neill[note 4] 13.0 437 443 453      
Independent Audrey Hynd-Gaw 2.0 68 77        
TUSC Ian Kerr 1.2 42          
Electorate: 8,847   Valid: 3,357   Spoilt: 111   Quota: 840   Turnout: 39.2%  

Source: [24][25]

Dalry and West Kilbride by-election

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Dalry and West Kilbride SNP councillor Joy Brahim resigned her seat on 14 May 2021 due to illness.[26] A by-election was held on 12 August to fill the vacancy and was gained by the Conservative's Ronnie Stalker.

Dalry and West Kilbride by-election (12 August 2021) – 1 seat
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1
Conservative Ronnie Stalker 53.5 2,016
SNP Robyn Graham 34.3 1,292
Labour Valerie Reid 8.1 305
Liberal Democrats Ruby Kirkwood 1.5 58
Socialist Labour James McDaid 1.5 57
Independent John Willis 1.1 42
Electorate: 10,476   Valid: 3,770   Spoilt: 31   Quota: 1,886   Turnout: 36.3%  

Source: [27][28]

Notes

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  1. ^ In 2022, Cllr Jimmy Miller resigned from Labour and became an independent.[10]
  2. ^ a b c Sitting councillor for Saltcoats and Stevenston ward.
  3. ^ Cllr Ellen McMaster twice changed political affiliation first joining the Alba Party before becoming an independent.[13]
  4. ^ Sitting councillor for Irvine West.

References

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  1. ^ "North Ayrshire - Forthcoming Elections". North Ayrshire Council. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Labour to run North Ayrshire council as minority". BBC News. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  3. ^ Teale, Andrew. "Local Elections Archive Project - 2017 - North Ayrshire". Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Irvine West" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Irvine West" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Irvine East" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Irvine East" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Kilwinning" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Kilwinning" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  10. ^ Grayston, Murray (15 February 2022). "North Ayrshire: Councillor Jimmy Miller runs solo after resignation from Labour". Irvine Times. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Stevenston" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Stevenston" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  13. ^ Jones, Jennifer (24 November 2021). "Ayrshire: Councillor Ellen McMaster leaves Alba Party". Irvine Times. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Ardrossan and Arran" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Ardrossan and Arran" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Dalry and West Kilbride" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Dalry and West Kilbride" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Kilbirnie and Beith" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Kilbirnie and Beith" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Declaration of Results Report North Coast and Cumbraes" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report North Coast and Cumbraes" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Saltcoats" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Saltcoats" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Irvine South" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  25. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Irvine South" (PDF). North Ayrshire Council. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  26. ^ Dunn, Ross (27 May 2021). "North Ayrshire SNP councillor Joy Brahim resigns from local authority". Irvine Times. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  27. ^ "Declaration of Results Report Dalry and West Kilbride". North Ayrshire Council. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Candidate Votes Per Stage Report Dalry and West Kilbride". North Ayrshire Council. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2023.