The Scottish National Party will lead North Ayrshire Council as a minority administration for the next five years.

The SNP decided to go it alone and not form a coalition with another party after they failed to pick up an overall majority in the council elections earlier this month.

The leading party will have 12 councillors, with the Conservatives mounting the opposition with ten councillors followed by the Labour Party with nine, with two independents rounding out the council.

Councillor Marie Burns has been named leader of the council and councillor Shaun Macaulay as deputy leader – both from the SNP administration.

New council leader Marie Burns said: “First and foremost, I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Joe Cullinane, and to his work during these difficult few years.

“We know that further challenges lie ahead and I hope that we can all work together in order to improve the lives our residents in every part of North Ayrshire.”

Councillor Anthea Dickson has been selected as the new Provost of North Ayrshire, with councillor John Sweeney elected deputy provost over councillor Donald L. Reid.

Provost Dickson said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to be elected and I am aware of the responsibility which comes with the role.

“I will serve with fairness and pledge that I will work hard to represent everyone in North Ayrshire in the months and years to come.”

The rest of the council cabinet was selected at last week’s meeting, with North Coast councillor Alan Hill announced as the new cabinet member for communities and islands.