A top South Ayrshire councillor has quit after spending seven months splitting her time as an MSP.
Siobhian Brown, who represented the SNP for Ayr West, has been performing a dual role since being elected to Holyrood last May.
On becoming an MSP, she insisted she would stay on at local level to "save the cost of a by-election on local taxpayers".
But she has now vowed to concentrate on her role in Edinburgh.
With the council vote less than five months away, a by-election will not take place, leaving her seat empty until May.
Ms Brown snatched the Ayr seat at Holyrood in an historic victory for the SNP last year.
She then vowed to continue as the Ayr West councillor but today said the time was right to stand down.
Ms Brown said: “After being elected to the Ayr seat in May 2021, like most newly-elected MSPs who are councillors, I chose to stay on in the role.
“The main reason was that I wanted to save the cost of a by-election on local taxpayers for such a short period of time, as elections are due to take place this year.
"It was always my intention to step down and I believe now is the right time."
Ms Brown added: “I have given my all to both roles and I have continued to assist my Ayr West constituents on local council issues but I need to prioritise and concentrate on being an MSP and my role as convenor of the Covid-19 recovery committee.
“ I am determined to move forward with the plans for the Station Hotel and Prestwick Airport within my role in government.
"And I look forward to continuing to work closely with South Ayrshire Council."
The MSP for Ayr decided to donate the money from her council wages to charity and local causes in Ayr West whilst earning two salaries.
Ms Brown says she will now make a final charitable donation from the last of her councillor’s allowance.
She added: "It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Ayr West since 2017 and I look forward to continuing to do that in my capacity as an MSP."
Councillor Martin Dowey, who leads the Tory opposition in South Ayrshire and also represents Ayr West, said: "While this is a decision for Ms Brown, it is a shame it wasn't taken last May.
"Voters should have been given the chance to elect a new councillor for Ayr West and I feel the people of that ward have been let down by her belated decision to stand down."
A Council spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Siobhian for all her hard work as a Councillor for Ayr West, Portfolio Holder and for serving on a number of panels.
"The Local Government Scotland Act 1973 provides that an election shall not be held where a Councillor resigns within 6 months of the Local Government Elections (5 May 2022).
"Instead the vacancy is filled at the next election (5 May 2022)."
Cllr Peter Henderson, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, added: “The SNP will work with any constituents in any ward in South Ayrshire.”
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