Published: Tuesday, 2nd February, 2010 2:00pm

South Ayrshire Council Leader Quits

by Roisin McGroarty

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Hugh Hunter resigns hours after pool vote

SOUTH Ayrshire Councillor Hugh Hunter is quitting as leader of the council after three years.

Councillor Hunter said he was stepping down to allow for "a new era of leadership" but will continue represent Prestwick where he was first elected in 1999.

The former council leader has had a rocky time of it recently with thousands of people take to Ayr streets last year in protest to his council's budget cuts.

And the announcement comes just hours after the controversial Girvan pool vote which saw the town community bid scrapped.

Fellow Councillor Bill McIntosh will takeover as the Conservative Group's new leader tomorrow morning.

This week Councillor Hunter said: "I have been honoured to serve as South Ayrshire Council's leader. We have made huge progress in the last three years in becoming a modern, ambitious organisation focused on delivering high quality services for the people of South Ayrshire. I have worked hard with my portfolio holders and fellow elected members to make strong, sustained progress. I am proud of what we have achieved. I believe the time is right for a new era of leadership to steer the council through the challenging times that lie ahead."

Read the full story in this week's paper, on sale now