Millions of pounds of investment in communities up and down South Ayrshire has been given the green light.
Around 90 projects with share the cash as part of the Conservative administration’s pledge to hand over £1m to each ward in South Ayrshire.
Investment of around £3.6m of a total budget of £14m has been identified, with a number of approved projects still to be fully costed.
The administration had said that each community would be able to bring forward the projects they want to see invested in.
However, there had been some push back from opposition councillors who wished to see direct engagement with the communities, along the lines of participatory budgets, where locals vote for their preferred options.
The council had insisted that community wishes would be the driver behind the scheme, utilising the public engagement and list of priorities from earlier ‘placemaking’ consultations.
The largest number of projects that were deemed good to go were proposed by ward councillors.
Dozens of other projects were put on hold - designated ‘amber’ - as they either require additional information, may be able to attract additional funding from alternative sources or may be covered by other ongoing council work.
Ayr East is the only ward not to have any ‘green lighted’ projects, with several on the sidelines awaiting final approval. This was largely due to the lack of a place planning programme in Ayr East.
Both Ayr West and Girvan were given additional funds for projects at the last budget. At Thursday’s meeting of the council the programme was described as a step change in the approach to capital investment, with a total of 562 projects brought to the table.
The programme was welcomed by all parties, with councillors expressing their thanks for the inclusion of members from all wards.
Councillor Ian Davis praised officers work in managing to put the programme in place, the funding having been put in place in March this year.
He also thanked councillors for their input into the process.
He added that, in the past, communities were asked for input only to be told the council didn’t have the money.
The Ayr North councillor said: “This is an opportunity to finally deliver on those. Some are small projects, such as putting benches in here and there. These are things that communities notice. A lot of the major projects, such as resurfacing promenades, are important for us as a coastal authority.
“A lot of the projects are in amber. I hope that the questions around them are able to be resolved and hope that they can be programmed in as soon as possible.”
Girvan Councillors Alec Clark welcomed the additional £3m allocated to the town.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to support this paper. It will make a significant difference in ward eight. It is the first time in years there has been such a significant investment in town."
Councillor Iain Cavana said the different groups were ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ highlighting the announcement of funding for the development of Newton Shore which had been ‘neglected for a long, long time’..
SNP Group Leader William Grant was magnanimous, admitting he had ‘massive concerns’ about the plans at the outset. But he said that the way the projects had been identified had been ‘brilliant’ and that the projects would be of massive benefit to the communities.
Labour Councillor Brian McGinley asked whether the staff resources required to meet deadlines for projects had been taken into account.
Depute chief executive Mike Newall, who will take over from chief executive Eileen Howat in November, said that the services had been told the projects were a ‘priority’ for the council.
The cost of a number of projects that were approved are still to be finalised. The projects approved by the council, including costs that have been calculated can be found below:
TROON
- The introduction of a power source on the seaward facing end of the Walker Hall for future outdoor events. – £5,000
- Two underground waste compactors at Troon Cross
- Goalposts and volleyback posts at Barassie Shore and investment in play areas at Adams Gate, Hosiery Park and Burns Road – £50,000
- Hosiery Park Pavilion refurbishment – £80,000
- Troon Esplanade resurfacing – £80,000
PRESTWICK
- Remove speedbumps Adamton Road North – £5,000
- Solar powered lighting of Salt Pan Buildings at Prestwick St Nicholas
- Installation of electrical supply to the former Lido swimming pool area to support future outdoor event – £40l,000
- Resurfacing car park to north of Kidz Play – £135k
- World Destination sign on Promenade
- New park benches at playpark on promenade – £2,000
- New steel picnic tables to coloured to support dementia friendly prestwick commitment – £6,000
- Prom resurfacing – £200,000
AYR NORTH
- New benches along Newton Shore prom
- New benches and picnic tabled for playing field Heathfield and Northfiled place planning. Outdoor gym equipment put in place.
- More trees in KIngs Park
- Resurfacing of Newton Shore Promenade – £100,000
- Bike shelter at Lochside Community Centre
- Improved on street parking at Lochside Road subject to consultation – £15,000
- Improvement of council owned area at Dalmilling Shops, Westwood Avenue. £25,000
- Improvement of former play park at junction of Westwood Avenue and Dalmilling Drive – £3,000
- Resurfacing carriageway of Newton Shore Promenade £110,000
AYR WEST
- Burn Statue Square improvements
- Footbridge over slipway – £100k
- Loudon Hall – replace external floodlights and internal lighting with LED lighting – £10,000
- Town Hall Gardens transformation
- Grain Exchange – remove bus stop and public art to provide event space.
subject to discussions with SPT and bus companies. - Ayr Promenade Boating Pond brought back into use by summer 2024
- Ayr Promenade red tarmac – £150,000
Blackburn car park resurfacing – £95,000 - Motorhome parking at old slipway for summer 2024.
- Honest Men and Bonnie Lasses Walk of Fame. The ‘Walk of Fame’
style installation for a regenerated Burns Statue Square will
honour notable individuals from Ayrshire. - Illumination of Auld and New Brig in Ayr – £101,000
- Resurfacing various roads – £400,000
KYLE
- Annbank Play Park – two new benches and tables. Improve footpath between Annbank and Mossblown – £5,000
- Coilenan Reservoir – creation of a footpath on southern edge of reservoir to connect to the Smugglers Trail. – £22,000
- Mossblown Outdoor adult gym equipment
- Mossblown – outdoor area with seating. Improvements for the war memorial taken forward.
- Symington – new benches.
- Symington – outdoor adult gym equipment and benches in park.
- Monkton – community cinema – £40,000
- Monkton – Planters to be positioned at cross.
- Formal access to Dundonald Field and car parking – £20,000
- Dunfonald Main Street resurfacing – £40,000
Mauchline road Mossblown resurfacing – £15,000
Symington footways resurfacing – £6,000
Loans Hall car park resurfacing – £8,000
MAYBOLE AND NORTH CARRICK
- Coylton tree planting, new benches
- Minishant – new benches
- Hall window replacement- £10,000
- Replace stage curtains at Maybole Town Hall and other works – £50,000.
- Safety boat at Dunure Harbour – £51,000
- Permanent car park adjacent to Millpark play area, Maybole – £65,000
- Maybole high street resurfacing – £56,000
- Kennedy Park resurfacing access road – £10,000
GIRVAN
- Improvements to former bingo hall site in Dalrymple Street – £160,000
- Stumpy Tower corner public realm improvements – £400,000
- Boating pond refurbishment – £175,000
- Merchant navy memorial – £15,000
- Installation of height restriction barrier at south of harbour masters office
- Resurfacing of prom
- Invest in modernisation of aviary at Knockcushan Street Community Gardens
- Flagpoles at Girvan Harbour
- Deer proof fence at Bynehill Cemetery
- Removal of vegetation from buildings in Dalrymple Street, Knockcushan St and Hamilton St
SOUTH CARRICK
- Improvements to Ardstinchar Bridge – £40,000
- Additional seating along river walk.
- Footpath for access to field at Pinwherrry and Pinmore
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