A RAFT of proposed changes to senior roles at South Ayrshire Council look set to be approved next week – including the appointment of a new depute leader of the authority.
The council’s ruling Conservative group wants to replace Ayr West councillor Lee Lyons as depute leader, installing long-serving Troon councillor Bob Pollock in his place.
And the role of education portfolio holder is set to go to former SNP group leader William Grant, who left the party last month and now sits as an independent.
Councillor Grant, whose appointment to the education post has also been proposed by the Conservative group, previously held the same role when the SNP was in power before the 2022 local government elections.
Councillor Grant, who has represented the Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton ward since 2012, left his former SNP colleagues reeling when he made the shock move in July.
At the time, Conservative council leader Martin Dowey confirmed he'd asked Cllr Grant to take on the education post.
If he is confirmed in the role, he’ll replace former Conservative councillor Stephen Ferry, who left the party and the position in the same week that Cllr Grant jumped ship.
Cllr Grant had only been SNP group leader for a year following the retirement of previous group leader, and former council leader, Peter Henderson.
The Conservatives have also proposed replacing Cllr Lyons with independent Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter as portfolio holder for health and social care.
The proposed new appointments will be considered, and voted on, at a special meeting of the full council on Monday, August 19.
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