Councillor Joe Cullinane was elected as a Labour representative for Kilwinning at the May 2012 and May 2017 local government elections. He was appointed Leader of North Ayrshire Council on 30 August 2016 and on 17 May 2017 following a change in Administration. In September 2019, it was announced that Councillor Cullinane would join the Scottish Labour Party Shadow Cabinet, leading on Campaigns and Party Engagement.
Following a Cabinet reshuffle in June 2020, it was agreed that Councillor Cullinane’s portfolio would be for matters relating to Community Wealth Building, as well as areas such as the budget and the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
Since becoming Leader, he has been appointed Chair of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, Staffing & Recruitment Committee, Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership Board and the Ayrshire Shared Services Committee. As Council Leader he attends COSLA Leaders and COSLA Convention. He is a member of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Joint Committee and a non-Executive Board Member of NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
Born and raised in North Ayrshire, he studied politics and history at University, and graduated with a 2:1 degree in 2008.
Married with two daughters, Councillor Cullinane’s interests include sports, mainly football and music.