Originally created in 1984, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s.
The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.
The ward was a Labour stronghold as the party successfully held the seat at every election.
The ward took in the southern part of Cumnock including Netherthird as well as Skares.
[1] Minor changes were made to the ward's boundaries in Cumnock town centre following the Second Statutory Reviews of Electoral Arrangements in 1994.