RUMOURS that Dolphin House is under the threat of closure and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme cancelled have been dismissed by South Ayrshire Council.

Parents, teachers and children had been told the valuable outdoor education resource centre could shut and momentum was gathering to prevent this from happening. 

But the council say the rumours are false and education base at Culzean will remain open and expeditions will continue.

Eileen Howat, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council, said: “Despite rumour and speculation, the Council has not decided to close Dolphin House or end the Duke of Edinburgh programme and any suggestion that we have is entirely inaccurate. 

“Council officers are working on a wide range of budget proposals from across all Council services that could be considered as we work to plug the anticipated £17 million funding gap we face for 2018/19. 

“This is a significant challenge that will undoubtedly impact on what we do and how we do it, and it will be for Councillors to decide which proposals are ultimately taken forward.” 

But South Ayrshire residents are urged to get involved and help influence developments in their communities in the coming decade. 

The Council’s launched a ten week consultation on its Main Issues Report which runs between Monday, November, 20 2017 and Wednesday, January, 31.

To vote visit https://south-ayrshire.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=43e28f37f36e435fbacb444f0a8c22be