LEADERS of South Ayrshire Council spoke to the Ayr Advertiser Series about their ambitious plans for the new administration. 

SNP, Labour and two independent councillors have joined forces to make, what they say, will be vital improvements each town and village needs.

They will be focussing on Ayr, Maybole, Troon, Prestwick and Girvan to ensure each town acts as a catalyst to support their surrounding villages and rural communities.

Speaking about forming the new executive, Leader of the council, SNP, Douglas Campbell, of Ayr North, said: “It took two or three days for the coalition to come together. 

“We all knew exactly what we wanted and recognised each others strengths and weaknesses.

“We wanted to form an administration that council that sees through the difficult financial problems. When you talk about delivering services you need to have a community view.

“We need to help the most vulnerable in our society, who need our support, and put forward a working arrangement that will help. 

“We need to help the most disadvantaged people in our society including children and families and get them support including breakfast clubs which run outwith the school year. However we need to build a service which can provide jobs.

“Rural areas also need our help. They don’t all have access to internet or broadband. We need to make sure there are affordable housing for people to stay and grow their families.”

Brian McGinley, Depute Leader of the Council and Labour representative of Ayr East, added: “For me, overcoming austerity is a necessity and we want to recognise that. We want a council that makes the best decisions. Some 27 per cent of our rural areas are living in poverty - that’s more than one quarter of South Ayrshire.

“We need to address that 24/7, not just nine to five. But one way of doing that is by empowering them. At least 65 per cent of our community want to participate more. 

“We need to justify the decisions we make. People are made redundant but we end up spending even more money to try and get them back to work. 
“We need to work with colleges and other employment centres to make sure people find jobs and are not in a seamless situation.”

Alec Clark, Chairman of the Service and Performance Panel, and Independent councillor of Girvan and South Carrick, commented: “I am not of political mindset but we need a change.

“But what we really need are equitable resources. We need to see something that will benefit our communities. 

“We need to work along with communities and bring them forward. They need to be our top priority.

“With the right support they will grow. We should not diminish rural villages.

“Urban towns can help smaller villages. We identify this should be the starting point. 

“We need to look at this long term so we can identify what will bring us forward and provide benefits for all the communities.

“We need to make sure contributors make a fair and equitable distribution for all.”

Brian Connolly, Chairman of the Regulatory Panel, Independent representative for Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton, concluded: “I was approached, [on this role] when we made up this coalition. 

“Integrity is what it is all about and I am excited about the prospect of this coalition and what we can bring to South Ayrshire.”