Within the UK Parliament, Cumbrae is part of the North Ayrshire & Arran constituency, represented by one Member of Parliament (MP). Their responsibilities include:

Defence

Employment

Immigration and visas

International development

Trade and industry

Every area in Scotland is represented in the Scottish Parliament by 8 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). One MSP represents the local area – known as the ‘constituency MSP’ and 7 MSPs represent the region – known as ‘regional MSPs’. Cumbrae is within the Cunninghame North local constituency and the West Scotland region.

MSPs responsibilities include:

Agriculture and fisheries

Education and training

Environment

Health and social services

Housing

Justice and policing

Local government

Transport

Income tax

Land and buildings transaction tax

Landfill tax

Best start grant

Carer's allowance/carer’s allowance supplement

Funeral support payment

Young carer grant

Local government in Scotland is made up of 32 local authorities. Cumbrae is part of North Ayrshire Council. The council area is divided into a number of wards, and three or four councillors are elected for each ward. Cumbrae is in Ward 01 - North Coast, which has 5 councillors with responsibilities including:

Roads and transportation

Education, from pre-school to secondary and adult and community education

Leisure, library and cultural services

Waste management

Planning and the local environment

Regulatory and protective services

Housing

Economic development

Health and social care

In addition, North Ayrshire Council has an online reporting facility for:

Bins

Litter

Graffiti

Fly tipping

Other cleansing related issues

Road issues

Street lights

Traffic signals

Railings or bollards,

Complaints about North Ayrshire Council employees

Suggestions

And you can also report potholes using the FixMyStreet app.

The structure of North Ayrshire Council and an organisation chart are available here.

Community Councils are Scotland’s most local tier of statutory representation (ie their purpose is set out in law). Members of the Community Council are democratically elected by those who live on the island. Community Councils form an important connection between communities and the local council (as well as other public bodies) by sharing views and needs. In North Ayrshire, Community Councils also act as formal members of Locality Planning Partnerships.

Find out more about Cumbrae Community Council.

Find out who your MP, MSP's, local councillors and community councillors are.