NORTH Ayrshire Council’s opposition parties last week united to defeat a motion that would have allowed the display of election materials on Council property to continue.

At the full council on April 2, a motion by Council Leader Willie Gibson to continue permitting the display of campaign posters on Council property was defeated by 13 Labour, Conservative and Independent votes to 11 SNP.

Conservative Councillor Tom Marshall seconded by Labour Councillor Donald Reid successfully moved an amendment that ‘North Ayrshire Council’s policy is to disallow display of campaign posters on any Council property’.

For the European Elections, the Independence Referendum and all subsequent elections it will be illegal to place posters on lamp posts or street furniture.

The move brings NAC in line with the two other neighbouring Ayrshire councils.

East Ayrshire Council has prohibited the display of election campaign publicity material on any Council property, including lamp posts, traffic sign poles and other street furniture since June 2011.

South Ayrshire has had a similar ban in place since July 2012.

Speaking after the vote, Conservative Councillor Tom Marshall said: “The issue of so many posters on lamp posts and street furniture was of concern.

“They serve no useful purpose and merely add to the clutter in the streets and in some cases are a real distraction to road users.

“Some argue that the presence of such materials increases the turnout at the elections but there is no evidence of this.” Labour Councillor Reid commented: “North Ayrshire Council is bordered by three authorities that have banned election posters and this has become common practice as councils review their own policies.

“The Scottish Government has had such a ban in place for some time which has led to confusion locally and with the proposed change to remove posters 50 metres from polling places, this would add to confusion and disputes on election day taking the focus by officers away from the polls themselves.

“This is why I supported a move which applies also to elections not just the referendum.

"The move does not stop posters being placed in people’s windows or gardens. The ban is only on Council lamp posts and street furniture.” SNP Councillor Ruth Maguire commmented: “It is incumbent on all politicians to encourage as many people as possible to participate in the democratic process and vote.

“The colourful posters on lamp posts around election time have always been an integral part of elections in North Ayrshire.

“It is disappointing that Better Together, Labour and Tory councillors joined to ban campaign posters but not entirely surprising.

“More than anything it probably reflects the lack of activists they have on the ground willing to do street work.

“The Yes campaign in North Ayrshire is growing. We are seeing not only members of pro-independence political parties but folk who have never been involved in politics before joining our street stalls, public meetings and canvas and leaflet sessions – momentum is with Yes.”