Top North Ayrshire councillor quits amid parking row

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Kilwinning councillor Scott Davidson has dramatically quit the cabinet as he cited concerns over the controversial proposal to introduce town centre parking charges.Cllr Davidson said health concerns had also contributed as a factor in his decision.The move deals a major blow to the SNP administration after the cabinet last Tuesday voted to defer a decision on the plans until the full North Ayrshire Council meeting on February 15.At last week's meeting, council leader Marie Burns advised that Councillor Davidson had stepped down from his cabinet post.The parking charge proposals have proved unpopular with the community and three petitions were presented to the audit and scrutiny committee in November.Councillor Davidson later said: “I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me following the news that I’ll be standing down from the North Ayrshire cabinet.“It’s been a privilege to serve as the cabinet member for place but I’ve been dealing with some health and personal issues lately and haven’t been able to give it the attention it deserves.“In addition, I have been responding to concerns from constituents around the introduction of car parking charges in Kilwinning and have found that difficult to balance with my Cabinet responsibilities for this issue."I am aware that parking charges will be decided at full council and I will now be in a position to listen to the debate and vote as I see fit.“In the meantime, I want to thank all of the staff in the place directorate for their help and support over the last few months.”Councillor Burns said: “I want to thank Councillor Davidson for the work he has put into this portfolio.