South Ayrshire Council election, 2003

South Ayrshire Council election, 2003

← 1999 3 May 2003 (2003-05-03) 2007 →
All 30 seats to South Ayrshire Council 16 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Andrew Hill Party Conservative Labour Seats before 12 18 Seats won 15 15 Seat change 3 3 Popular vote 20,657 18,296 Percentage 41.5 36.7 Swing 6.1 4.4
A map highlighting party support by electoral ward where red represents the Scottish Labour Party and blue the Scottish Conservative Party.

Elections to South Ayrshire Council area were held on 1 May 2003, alongside elections to the Scottish Parliament. All 30 seats were up and this was the final election to the council using First Past the Post. Whilst the Scottish Conservative Party were able to achieve more votes than any other party in the council area, they only received 15 seats - no majority administration was formed with the Scottish Labour Party also holding 15 council seats.

The North Carrick and Maybole East by-election was called following the resignation of South Ayrshire Labour Party leader Andy Hill on health grounds. In the election Independent candidate Brian Connolly won by a single vote. The loss of the ward for Labour allowed for the Conservatives to take control of the South Ayrshire Council area, governing with a 15-14 majority.