Opposition councillors have blasted the Conservative administration's creation of a 'hand-knitted' cabinet post for independent Councillor Bob Shields.
The appointment is part of a shake up of South Ayrshire Council's decision making structure less than a year after the elections.
The move to create a new Cabinet position for future developments and special projects was originally due to go before council in December, with Cllr Shields explicitly named for the role.
However, it was withdrawn and chief legal officer Catriona Caves was asked for specific legal advice by the administration.
This saw the proposal changed to simply nominate one of the independent councillors. It also meant that the process could be decided by the Provost's casting vote.
The council also agreed to reduce the number of oversight committees from three to two.
The Audit and Governance Panel will remain the same, but the Service and Performance and Partnerships Panels will merge with a Labour member chairing.
Both the SNP and Labour groups had made alternative proposals, with the initial request by Labour to nominate group leader Councillor Brian McGinley to the cabinet post.
Councillor Peter Henderson argued that the panels be retained, raising concerns about the 'democratic deficit' and need to be seen to have adequate scrutiny.
Labour's Councillor Philip Saxton said: "Councillor McGinley would be an asset to Cabinet with his experience as portfolio holder.
"Councillor Dowey was saying we should work across the council, so that's what we are trying to do."
He claimed that the Conservatives were 'trying to shut us up and close us down' .
Cllr Saxton also had direct words for Cllr Shields, saying that 'after 10 months he seems to have learned it all' and saying he would "look forward to seeing what he brought forward."
Council leader Dowey responded to Cllr Saxton, quipping: "Labour aren't allowed to work with the Conservatives."
This sparked some back and forth, with Cllr Dowey asked Cllr McGinley: "Are you allowed to be in the cabinet? I don't think you are.
"We are very happy with the experience that that Councillor Shields brings.
"Councillor McGinley has lots of experience, there is no taking away from that, but Councillor Shields brings lots of real life experience which this council badly needs."
Cllr McGinley took umbrage at Cllr Dowey's comments, telling him: "I do have real life experience too. I haven't lived in some ivory tower."
Cllr Dowey said that he was talking about Cllr Shields, but the Labour councillor said that he had inferred that he didn't have the real life experience.
He added: "There is nothing to prevent me working with you in cabinet. Especially since your plea for us is to work with you. That would be a way to avail yourselves of my experience and abilities."
SNP Councillor Laura Brennan Whitefield asked whether the reduction in scrutiny panels was viable after strong recommendations made by Audit Scotland.
Cllr Dowey said: "We took consultation from officers to make sure it didn't impact on Audit Scotland and we are quite happy with that."
Councillor Julie Dettbarn said that the move was described as a review of the political decision making structure. However, that was not the case, she argued.
She added that the proposal was 'dressed up' as a review to allow the decision to create a 'handknitted portfolio' to be decided by the Provost's casting vote.
"It is a subversion of democracy and it is very clear, no offence to Cllr Shields."
Her colleague Councillor Craig Mackay said he believed the legal advice was sought with a view to finding a loophole for the move and wasn't in the 'spirit' of the rules.
However, Ms Caves, took issue with the suggestion, telling Cllr Mackay that she had been asked specifically for legal advice by the administration and had sought it from King's Counsel to ensure the 'council remains legal'.
The decision to merge the two panels and appoint Councillor Shields as a new cabinet member was agreed after a split vote of 14-14, decided by Provost Campbell's casting vote.
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