'Community News'
CLOSURE OF EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL OFFICES
East Ayrshire Council's local offices will be closed from 2pm on 24 December 2008 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2009.
In the event of an emergency please contact the Helpline on 0845 7240000 or the Social Work Standby Service on 0800 811 505....
East Ayrshire Council, in partnership with BT, is tackling the difficult problem of eradicating Japanese Knotweed on the highly visible embankment on John Finn Street
This infestation is particularly complicated and a pioneering treatment is being carried out by local company, Land Engineering. There are plans to landscape the area, which is important within the Outstanding Conservation Area, but this cannot be undertaken until the offending weed is removed. The problem was brought to the attention of the Council by Brian Handling, of Handling Hair.
Councillor Reid, Leader of the Council commented: "I'm delighted that the works are commencing to eradicate this infestation. I look forward to seeing the completed product as soon as practicable."
Councillor Jim Buchanan commented: "The landscaping of this area will be another important step, along with the works proposed to the Floral Clock, towards improving this prominent part of John Finnie Street."
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The Grange Leisure Centre, which is situated within the Grange Campus, will be open for both community and club hire from Monday 12 January and the Council would like to invite members of the community to attend preview sessions at this state of the art facility.
Councillor Kathy Morrice, Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing said: "The preview sessions are the perfect opportunity to kick start your New Year resolutions and start the year as you mean to go on. The facility contains a main hall with eight badminton courts, two gym halls, an assembly hall and a dance studio. These facilities are state of the art and are definitely worth a visit."
The preview sessions will be held from Monday 5 January to Friday 8 January from 5pm to 9pm; Saturday 9 January from 9am to 12pm and Sunday 10 January from 1pm to 5pm.
If you wish to view the new Grange Leisure Centre please contact the Booking Line on 01563 554076. The line is open between 1pm and 4pm, Monday to Friday and advance booking is essential.
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CUMNOCK TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION
At the recent meeting of East Ayrshire Council's Cabinet, a decision was taken to approve the masterplan for the Cumnock Town Centre Regeneration Project.
The key aim of the project is to revitalise the town centre of Cumnock, providing opportunities for shopping, education, leisure, and recreation for the town and surrounding communities. The focus of the masterplan is to provide more jobs in the town centre, enhance and extend the available retail on offer, enhance the public realm and town centre environment and implement an improved traffic management and parking strategy.
The project, which is a joint venture project with a private sector developer Deanway Muir (Ltd), will deliver on the masterplan by developing office accommodation from which the Council and other partner agencies will provide services on a co-location basis, attracting a supermarket which will form the anchor in the retail sector in the town, upgrading and extending the Glaisnock Shopping Centre and improving the parking, traffic management, pedestrian access and the environment within the town centre.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: "The approval of the masterplan for Cumnock Town Centre is a real step forward for this project. The location of the office development, which will bring Council employees and partners into the town centre, has been confirmed as Greenholm Road. The Local Office and Registration service which is currently located at Millbank will move into the new offices and there will be a marriage suite located within the office development. There will also be a new library within the offices. Shire Housing will be taking office space within the development.
"The Council has been required to purchase some additional land within Cumnock to allow the project to move forward. A Compulsory Purchase Orders has been promoted in respect of the project and the Council will continue to pursue the acquisition of this land through all available avenues."
Councillor Jim Buchanan, Spokesperson for Environment and Regeneration added: "The design of the office development has been completed to the planning application stage. It is proposed that the formal Planning Application for detailed consent will be submitted to the Council during January and it is hoped that, following planning approval, construction could start on site in the summer next year.
"In addition to the new office development which will bring people into Cumnock Town Centre, the Council is also in negotiations with major supermarket operators and these are progressing in a positive manner. The retail element of the project will form the second phase of the development. The current global credit crunch could possibly affect the retail project however the Council is fully committed to seeking alternative routes to address the retail trading situation in Cumnock.
"However the new parking arrangements will assist the retail trade in the short term. The former Council Yard at Market Lane has been identified for the development of a long stay car park. The demolition of the redundant buildings on this site will start early in the New Year and the new car park will make a real difference to the people of Cumnock and those shopping within the town centre."
Notes to Editor
East Ayrshire Council has entered into two joint venture contracts with Deanway Muir Ltd, one being in respect of the office development (Cumnock Regeneration (Office) Ltd) and the other in respect of the retail development (Cumnock Regeneration (Retail) Ltd).
The Joint Venture Companies have appointed a full team of technical consultants, including architects, engineers, surveyors, and other specialist disciplines to develop the project and these consultants are overseen by Davis Langdon, Project Managers. A meeting of the technical team is held fortnightly under the leadership of the Project Managers.
A Project Board, under the leadership of Elizabeth Morton, Depute Chief Executive/ Executive Director of Corporate Support, also meets fortnightly to oversee the strategic direction and progress of the project.
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EAST AYRSHIRE ATHLETICS PARTNERSHIP ? RUNS AWAY WITH NATIONAL AWARDS!
The East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership (EAAP), which was founded by the Council's Leisure Development Service in January 2008, was formed to drive forward the Sport of Athletics in East Ayrshire. EAAP comprises membership from the Department of Educational and Social Services, the Kilmarnock Harriers and Scottish Athletics, the sport's governing body. It seeks to provide a united framework for developing athletics across the authority with the guiding principle that working together can achieve more.
In the short time since its inception, the numbers of young people participating in Community and School based athletics events and programmes has risen dramatically and this year's Summer Athletics Camps and Schools Cross-Country events both saw record entries! As a direct result of the partnership between club and Council, a brand new satellite branch of Kilmarnock Harriers has been formed in Cumnock providing much needed opportunities for young athletes from this part of the authority to train, compete and develop in the sport. The East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership has also been spearheading the campaign for the development of a state of the art athletics facility in Kilmarnock and is playing a key role in developing the specification of this brand new facility in partnership with the Council.
On Monday 22 November, the award of 'Best Partnership' was made to EAAP at the Scottish Athletics Awards in Glasgow and following this the partnership team went on to scoop the 'Best Partnership' Award at the UK Athletics Awards in Birmingham on Saturday 29 November. This is a remarkable achievement for an initiative that is less than a year old and has successfully raised the profile of East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership at a Scottish and UK level.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: "I am overwhelmed by the success of East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership at both the Scottish and UK Athletics Awards. I believe that these achievements recognise the early impact that the Partnership has had on local athletics participation and development. I look forward to the exciting future developments which I know will come about as a result of the Partnerships commitment to the Sport, including the development of East Ayrshire's brand new state of the art athletics facility. East Ayrshire Council is committed to continuing our work with local and national partners to ensure that our local athletes are supported to reach their full potential. Ultimately I hope that the support of East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership can help some of the young people who are working with the Kilmarnock Harriers now, reach the medals podium in 2014!"
Donald McIntosh of the Kilmarnock Harriers and Chairperson of the Partnership was complimentary about the work to date. He said: "There is no doubt that the formation of the East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership has had a major impact on the development of the sport locally. The Kilmarnock Harriers have recently gained clubmark accreditation from the Governing Body of the Sport and we are a club with big ideas, but we believe that working in partnership is the key to driving them forward and ensuring that our local athletes have the best possible chance of reaching their full potential in the sport. We are looking forward to continuing this successful partnership and hope that the achievement of the two national awards is a sign of good things still to come!"
A spokesperson for the Scottish Governing Body of Athletics, who are key partners in the Forum added: "scottishathletics are delighted that the efforts of the East Ayrshire Athletics Partnership have been recognised at Scottish and UK level. The work of the partners in developing athletics in East Ayrshire is to be commended, and we look forward to continuing the excellent relationship as athletics progresses towards 2014."
The Partnership will hold its first AGM on Wednesday 28 January 2009 in the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock. For more information on any aspect of EAAP please contact Louise West, the Council's Athletics Development and Facility Officer on 01563 576713/ Louise.West@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
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East Ayrshire Council has formally concluded the deal with Alchemist Properties to move over 200 jobs into Strand Street as part of the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Douglas Reid, commented: "This is an important step in the regeneration of the town centre and I am delighted that the Council is showing civic leadership in supporting jobs here."
Councillor Jim Buchanan, spokes person for Environment and Regeneration, commented:
"This is a priority building within the Townscape Heritage Initiative and this move secures its future and restores an iconic structure within the Conservation Area."
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DOON VALLEY LEISURE CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENED
The official opening of Doon Valley Leisure Centre took place recently following a major refurbishment of the facilities. <>
The Centre reopened in September of this year after extensive work was carried out to revamp the changing facilities an to install a new reception area, heating system in the pool hall and fitness suite and multipurpose use studio. The Centre is used by Doon Academy and the local primary schools as well as being accessible to the local community.
Members of the Centre's swim school were also presented with progress and achievement certificates on the night by Provost Stephanie Young, who said: "What a great facility this is, and it was good to see it being used by so many people of all ages."
Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "We are delighted to have supported the refurbishment and upgrade of Doon Academy's swimming pool with a sportscotland Lottery award of £275,290.
"Quality swimming facilities play an important role in introducing people of all ages and abilities to the endless hours of enjoyment and fun swimming can provide. The upgraded facility will provide the school and the local community with increased sporting opportunities, encouraging them to participate, develop and excel in sport."
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NEW RECYCLING FACILITIES FOR EAST AYRSHIRE RESIDENTS
With the release of the latest national recycling figures, produced by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), East Ayrshire has yet again positioned itself as one of the leading recycling authorities in Scotland. East Ayrshire residents now recycle more of their waste than ever before, with just over 45% of waste recycled between April and June of this year.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: "East Ayrshire residents have yet again demonstrated their continued support to the Council's recycling efforts. To this end, and to make it even easier for our residents to recycle, we are actively looking to increase the number of local Recycling Points we have in place across East Ayrshire, and importantly increase the range and type of materials we can collect from these points."
Located within the car park at the Dean Castle Country Park, the first of the new points offers containers for paper and cardboard, cans and textiles. A second new Recycling Point is located within the car park at the Glencairn Retail Park and provides local residents with paper and cardboard, glass and cans, textiles and plastics recycling.
In addition, for residents in Newmilns, a plastics skip has been introduced to the Loudoun Road Recycling Point, which for the first time allows residents in this area to recycle their plastic bottles and carrier bags.
In recognition of the excess waste that households cope with over the festive period, additional paper and cardboard skips will be positioned at Tesco's in Glasgow Road, Kilmarnock; the Mauchline Road car park in Hurlford; Tesco's in Auchinleck and at St Germain Street in Catrine.
Councillor Reid added: "Christmas is a busy time for everyone. We hope that by providing these additional recycling facilities we will help our residents to maintain their good recycling habits: wrapping paper, gift tags, cards and cardboard packaging from gifts and foodstuffs all form a large part of the extra waste that is generated over the festive period."
Full details of the location of Local Recycling Points, which can be accessed at any time over Christmas, and the range of materials that can be recycled can be found at the Council's website www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk or contact Cleansing Services on 01563 554033.
The Recycling Centres at Western Road, Kilmarnock and at Garlaff near Cumnock will be closed from 2pm on Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve) until 8.00am on Saturday 27 December and from 2pm on Wednesday 31 December (Hogmanay) until at 8.00am on Saturday 3 January 2009.
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WARD 7 BALLOCHMYLE BY-ELECTION RESULTS
Labour candidate David Shaw has been elected to serve as a Councillor on East Ayrshire Council representing Ward 7, Ballochmyle in the south of the area. Councillor Shaw was elected on Thursday 11 December with a majority of 414 votes at the third stage of the Single Transferable Vote system.
The by-election, which saw a turnout of 29%, was called following the resignation of Councillor Eric Jackson in October 2008.
List of Candidates
Janette McAlpine
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Roseanne Savage
Scottish National Party (SNP)
David Shaw
Scottish Labour Party
Ian Fraser
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Danny Masterton
Solidarity ? Tommy Sheridan
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EAST AYRSHIRE SCHOOLS AT CHRISTMAS
The East Ayrshire Schools at Christmas Concert proved to be a great festive success again this year at the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock.
This session, East Ayrshire schools are supporting the work of Scottish International Relief as they extend their feeding programme in Malawi. Around 350,000 school children in Malawi currently benefit from the programme which provides them with a daily meal of fortified maize and porridge. For many of these children, this is the only meal of the day.
For a cost of £6000, Scottish International Relief undertake to build a feeding station and equip it with stoves and the necessary utensils. The local community is involved at every stage of planning and volunteers take on the day to day tasks of cooking, serving and maintaining the stores. When not in use for cooking, the buildings are used as classrooms and, at weekends, clinics. Audience members at the Christmas concert were given the opportunity to give to this very worthwhile cause at the end of the evening and over £834 was raised.
Councillor Iain Linton, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "The Schools Christmas Concert has always been a great success in the past, and this year's certainly carried on that tradition. Congratulations to all the pupils who took part and thanks to all those who gave donations for Scottish International Relief."
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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON IN KILMARNOCK
Provost Stephanie Young was joined by young carers Maxine Bennie and Callum Larson and Michelle McManus, the 2003 winner of "Pop Idol" as she switched on the Kilmarnock Christmas lights on Sunday.
The charity that the Provost has chosen to support this year is the East Ayrshire Carers' Centre and Callum and Maxine are just two of the many young carers within East Ayrshire who care for family members at home. They were delighted to be part of the beginning of the Christmas festivities in Kilmarnock.
Entertainment on the day included performances from Kilmarnock Pipe Band, the Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches and Centrestage Musical Theatre Company's Gospel Choir. It was a double celebration as Sunday was also St Andrew's Day so there were stalls selling haggis and neep pies and stovies, along with the more Christmas-related hot chestnuts and mulled wine! There was also an appearance by Santa's sleigh, as well as face painting and children's fun fair rides.
A huge crowd of excited families enjoyed the entertainment as the lights were switched on and the countdown to Christmas really got underway.
Provost Young said: "Christmas is an exciting time for everyone with decorations being a traditional element of the whole festival. This year's lights help make the town centre a very special place to do your Christmas shopping, and I am delighted to have switched them on."
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SCOTLAND'S YEAR OF HOMECOMING 2009
East Ayrshire Council welcomed Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather to the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock today to launch the Homecoming 2009 programme.
East Ayrshire will play a key role in the Homecoming 2009 celebrations and will host two quality exhibitions, Creative Burns and Ayrshire Innovators. £30,000 funding from EventScotland and Scottish Enterprise has contributed to the production of these exhibitions which will be the focus of East Ayrshire Council's celebrations.
The exhibitions are in the advanced stages of planning and the Council has commissioned a number of new works from major artists/designers of national importance to sit alongside East Ayrshire Council collections and loans from National Museums of Scotland, National Libraries of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, Burns Heritage Trust, Ellisland Trust and Edinburgh City Council.
Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Jim Mather said: "I am delighted to be in heart of Burns country to launch East Ayrshire's Homecoming programme. Homecoming will motivate people with Scottish ancestry, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to "Come Home" and join us in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given the world."
Local poet, Rab Wilson, is one of the artists commissioned for the Creative Burns exhibition and he recited one of his own poems, entitled "Guid Black Prent" for Mr Mather and invited guests.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: "2009 is an exciting year for East Ayrshire and indeed Scotland as a whole. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the area and to the many events we will be hosting.
"While these exhibitions will be the focus of our celebrations, we have also commissioned a new choral composition by the renowned composer Gavin Reid. This composition will be the centrepiece of the annual Xtravaganza Concert, involving young musicians from across the region."
In addition to the planned Homecoming events, the Council plans to unveil one of its flagship projects later in the year. The Burns Monument Centre will provide a unique research facility to enable tourists and local people alike to re-discover links with their past and engage with their family history.
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The Leader of South Ayrshire Council, is seeking a meeting with Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson MSP following the omission of a bypass for Maybole in the recent announcement of the Scottish Government’s Transport Projects
Henry and Barbara Crombie from Dundonald have celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary.
Heads Of Service Take Up New Posts
South Ayrshire Council has announced the appointment of six new Heads of Service and the vacancies of a further six posts, as the Council carries out changes in the way its services are delivered.
Have Fun And Be Safe During The Festive Season
South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership has received £20,000 of funding from the Scottish Government Safer Streets Initiative, to help ensure that people can go out during the festive season and enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
Vip Guests With Strathclyde Police
Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Depute Provost Mary Kilpatrick were treated like royalty when they were VIP guests of Strathclyde Police Motorcycle section.
Pub Allowed Illegal Tobacco Sales
South Ayrshire’s Trading Standards and Licensing Services have jointly issued a warning to Licensees after a pub in Ayr was observed allowing a regular customer to sell illegal tobacco on the premises.
Make A Date With The Council’s New Calendar
The popular South Ayrshire Council calendar for 2009 has just been launched and it is more colourful and informative than ever before.
A number of special litter bins have been placed in Ayr town centre by South Ayrshire Council to encourage smokers to ’Stub It Out’ when they have finished smoking a cigarette.
Ayrshire Is Focal Point For Launch Of Homecoming Scotland 2009
Alloway in South Ayrshire will play a leading role in Scotland’s Homecoming Year, which is created and timed to mark the 250th anniversary of our national poet Robert Burns.
Young Golfers Take On The Challenge Of Roodlea Golf Course
Eight young people took part in an 18 hole golf competition at Roodlea Golf Course, as part of the sixth Fairway Forward Golf Initiative.
Recycling, walking and being more energy efficient top the list of greener resolutions.
Benefit checks reap rewards for pensioners
Scottish pensioners have banked more than £1.8 million from free benefit checks since April 2007.
Social and medical history of every person whose life is lost to drugs will be recorded in Scotland.
A family affair as Olympic champion Chris Hoy and his mother are honoured.
Improvements to subsidies appeal procedures.
A year of achievement in the health service
Health Secretary says 'thank you' to NHS staff.
'NHS of the Future' schools challenge
Winners annnounced from competition to explore how health service might look in 2068.
Early show of interest in Scotland's bid to create world-leading marine energy technology.
Improving literacy and numeracy
National survey to begin next month.
Increased support for small businesses
Regional Selective Assistance grant scheme to be extended across Scotland.
Eastern promise for chamber orchestra
£200,000 for Scottish Chamber Orchestra to showcase its talents in India.
New figures show more than half of Scots plan to make most of festive leftovers.
First Minister's Christmas message
Scots urged to continue tradition of protecting the 'common weal' in tough times ahead.
Clubs united against underage entry
Campaign to stop young people trying to gain access to clubs with fake or false ID.
Funding to tackle homelessness
Projects share £2.4 million for homelessness and debt advice.
Deputy First Minister makes draw for the fourth round.
Health service has 'robust plans in place' to cope with extra demand over the winter months.
Ministers welcome announcement that house re-possessions will not proceed for six months.
Research and development for oil industry
New facility to handle R&D for subsea technology and products.
Australian and Finnish experts offer advice.