North Ayrshire Conservatives have called for local government to be more localised following proposals to increase the number of councillors in North Ayrshire by 16%, and group the mainland villages of Fairlie and West Kilbride with the island community of Arran into a single council ward. Tom Marshall, Conservative councillor representing the North Coast & Cumbraes ward, said “As a Conservative member I couldn’t support an increase in the number of councillors. We are a party of localism and strong but limited government. North Ayrshire Council is intending increasing the number of councillors from 30 to 35 and the additional cost that brings.” Cllr Marshall stated the changes will do little to improve services or the image of councillors, and called for a return to a more local form of representation. “Fairlie is going to be split from its natural community. I cannot accept that Fairlie should be grouped with Arran and West Kilbride. Fairlie’s population looks to Largs for its services – doctors, secondary schools etc – and it should remain with the North Coast.”