The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Group of Councillors on North Ayrshire Council is the main opposition party with 10 Members, one more than the Labour Group and the only Group that has a Councillor in each of the 10 wards in North Ayrshire.
Looking to the future we have decided to do some forward planning and have agreed that in relation to the leadership of the Group, it is important that we look at succession planning and have appointed Councillor Cameron Inglis who represents the Saltcoats and Stevenston Ward to be the Group Deputy Leader.
This is the start of the process where we will train up in particular newer Councillors in the Group so that they are able to take on the Administration of the Council as and when that becomes available to us.
Councillor Todd Ferguson commented:
“It has been a great privilege to have been the Depute Leader of our group over the last 6 years.
“Since taking on the role, our group have enjoyed some tremendous successes. We defeated the SNP in the 2021 West Kilbride and Dalry by-election. In the 2022 elections, we built on that momentum by increasing the number of Conservative and Unionist councillors becoming the official opposition.
“However, it is hugely important that we continue to build on these victories and look towards our future successes.
“That’s why I have decided that the time is right to step down.
“Councillor Inglis has been duly elected by the group and it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to gain some valuable experience under the continued leadership of Councillor Marshall.”
Councillor Cameron Inglis commented:
“I would just like to thank Councillor Ferguson for doing a tremendous job as Depute Leader of the North Ayrshire Conservative Group over the past six years. He has worked extremely hard for the party and for the people he represents on the North Coast.
"The opportunity to be Depute leader of the Conservative group is exciting and I cannot wait to get started in this role. Since being elected in May I have been working hard for the people I represent in Saltcoats and Stevenston and also at the same time holding the SNP administration responsible for their actions.
"This role will also allow me to gain experience in a leadership role which I would not be able to get elsewhere. With my enthusiasm and the great group of ten Councillors, we have at North Ayrshire as the main opposition we will all continue to hold the SNP administration to account on their record”
