TIME is running out for Gala Day organisers to secure funding for this year's events.

South Ayrshire Council state they are still able to provide equipment to local community groups without charge as long as they are able to collect, use and return them.

But groups still need funding to allow these events to run have requested the Head of Communities undertake further investigation in relation to the funding options.

Recognising the short term scale, it is hoped a report will be brought back the the Public Processes Panel next Wednesday, February 22.

An application to funding organisation LEADER for a Gala Box fund which supplies stalls and funds a social enterprise to provide installation is to be submitted.

This is already up and running in Dumfries and Galloway. 

A spokesman of South Ayrshire Council said: "Gala equipment is available if it is collected by groups and then returned to the Council. Council staff are still working with communities to find a solution."

Eileen McCutcheon, of Colmonell Community Association, said: "We were told that the only option available to assist communities was asset transfer of equipment, which we said was not viable as we would be left with the problem of where to store equipment, insurance for it, who would transport it to events, who would erect and dismantle it as volunteers spend many hours organising gala days and are all tied up with other jobs on the day and beforehand so have no spare capacity to organise this. 

"Colmonell shared this information with all of the other communities affected by these cuts. 

"The timescales to organise galas for this summer are now extremely short and it is not through fault of the communities that this is the case.

"I am extremely disappointed with the response to what we felt was a reasonable request, though I've come to realise that I shouldn't expect anything more than disappointment, anger and frustration at what has been an extremely challenging 12 months, particularly in the way things have been dealt with and the lack of communication with communities."

The date of the next petitions meeting will be held in Girvan Townhouse next Tuesday, February 22 and it is hoped that a suitable resolution can be found at the panel the following day.