'SOUTH Carrick Decides' is hoping encourage those who live in the area to vote on how best to spend funding in the local community.

The event’s being held at Girvan Academy between 11am and 2pm on Saturday, August 27 It’s a new way to encourage people to get actively involved in local decision making known as ‘Participatory Budgeting’.

A fund of up to £15,000 is available at the event, with 27 community groups pitching to an audience of local people about their proposal and how it will benefit the community.

After all the pitches have been heard, the audience will vote to decide which groups should receive funding. Groups can be funded up to £750 for use in local projects.

Anyone over the age of 12 is able to take part in the vote which, for the first time, will introduce interactive electronic voting.

Rita Miller, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, said the new approach was proving popular: “We’re committed to working with our communities to make life better and this new approach has already proved to be popular.

“Participatory Budgeting gives communities a direct say on what happens in their local areas and these events play a valuable role in helping to make that happen.

“I hope that we see a good turnout for the South Carrick event, with everyone aged 12 and up being given the chance to have a say on which projects they want to see receive community funding.”

These types of events offer local people the opportunity to decide how money is spent in their communities. South Ayrshire Council and the Girvan and South Carrick Villages Locality Planning Group is asking the public for their help in making the sessions a success by attending and voting on their favourites community groups.

After similar, successful events in Ayr, Maybole and Troon the fourth decision day has its primary focus on projects that will benefit peoples’ health and wellbeing.

For more information call 01292 612 626 or email Marion Young at Marion.Young@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.