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Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Treating South Ayrshire Council services like a business is key say leadership duo
New Independent Leader, Brian Connolly, and depute, Alec Clark, say a business approach is the only way forward amid cash crisis. South Ayrshire Council's new leadership pairing have insisted that taking a business-like approach to some services is the only way forward against a backdrop of ever-increasing financial pressures. Independent Council Leader Brian Connolly and Depute Alec Clark insist that investment in non-statutory services must be sustainable, if not completely self sufficient. Cllr Connolly, who became the council's first independent leader in May, said that this shift in South Ayrshire Council's approach has been the biggest difference he has seen since he joined the council almost 20 years ago. Up until his election as leader, Cllr Connolly held the sports and leisure portfolio in both the Labour/SNP administration and the Conservative-run cabinet from 2022. During that time, there had been massive investment in South Ayrshire's sporting facilities, he said. But he insisted it was not simply a case of throwing money at projects, with investment essential to bring money back in to sustain those facilities. He said this was one of the reasons why members of the administration wanted to maintain stability in the face of the ongoing crisis around procurement that saw both the previous leader Martin Dowey and Chief Executive Mike Newall quit. He said: "It is part of the reason why we wanted to continue. "Our sports facilities are just fantastic. The money that we have invested in these facilities is absolutely fantastic. "But the aim, and this probably took us three-quarters of our time in the council, we've finally got to looking at it like a business. "Let us get people in and let's generate revenue. Revenue is the issue, the capital is much easier. "We can invest the capital, but only if we are looking at it as a business. "We are looking at Troon [pool] and we think that, once the extension is in place, the figures will be through the roof. "Prestwick is just about to reopen. When we do the Quayzone I am sure it will be the same. "The football pitches and the golf courses, they are all generating revenue. Depute Leader Clark, who represents Girvan and South Carrick, added: "We both come from a business background. "You have to look at something and say, what can we do to make that investment pay? "If it doesn't pay, it isn't going to work. "Anything we can to generate revenue we will do. It means, with sustainability, it will be there for the general public to enjoy." The financial strain faced by councils has made the need to find more sustainable approaches is key, they said. However, they acknowledge that the introduction of charging or increasing fees is often viewed negatively. Cllr Clark cited to the investment of more than £250,000 on public toilets at Ainslie Park in Girvan. He said: "First thing we saw was someone saying 'I'm not paying 50p to go to the toilet. "But these toilets are going to be cleaned every day, there has been investment to improve the facilities. "I would ask whether they would want the facility or just have it left as a dump?" Cllr Connolly insisted that this shift in emphasis is the most significant he has seen. He said: " It is not just a case of saying this is a service we have to provide and that is the cost, we are looking at how we can get the revenue back in. "Whether toilets or golf courses. We have to get the money back in. "That then eases the financial pressure on the council."
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Daily Record
Stagecoach announces partnership with South Ayrshire Council for the International Ayr Show
Open-top buses with live flight commentary and a frequent park and ride shuttle service will help visitors travel easily while reducing town centre congestion. Stagecoach has announced a partnership with this year's International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight. As part of the collaboration, the bus giant will provide an open-top service offering live flight commentary, giving visitors a unique experience. The event, which draws around 90,000 visitors, takes place along the South Ayrshire coastline at the Low Green, Ayr. The two-day spectacular runs this year from September 5-6. Included in this year's line up is the world-famous Red Arrows, Typhoon, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, the RAF Grob Tutor and many more. To help reduce congestion in the town and ensure smooth travel for visitors, a park-and-ride shuttle service will run frequently throughout the event. The shuttle bus drop-off point for park and ride will be at Ayr Esplanade – right in the heart of the action. Buses will run up to every three to four minutes. On Friday, September 5 they will operate from 3.45pm until 10pm, while on Saturday, September 6 from 10.15am to 8pm. Pick-up and drop-off locations include Ayr Racecourse - park and ride or park and walk. Shuttle buses will be available, but those who prefer to walk are welcome to do so. Early bird tickets are £10 on Friday and £15 on Saturday. Rozelle Estate will be open for parking on Saturday only - park and ride or walk. Shuttle buses will be available, but walking is also an option. It's just over one mile from Rozelle Estate to the festival site. Early bird tickets are £15. Customers are urged to take advantage of group tickets, as well as free travel for under 22s and over 60s. Buying tickets in advance is strongly recommended. Fiona Doherty, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said: "We're pleased to partner with South Ayrshire Council again to support the International Ayr Show – a fantastic event that brings the community together and showcases the best of the region. "This collaboration allows us to provide reliable and accessible transport for attendees, helping to ease congestion and ensure safe, smooth travel throughout the weekend. We're committed to supporting local events that connect people and celebrate our shared community spirit. We hope everyone enjoys a brilliant weekend." South Ayrshire Council's tourism spokesman, Councillor Alec Clark, said: "I'm pleased to be working with Stagecoach once again as our shuttle bus operator for the airshow. Our park and ride options are a great way to take any hassle out of your festival weekend. "You simply reserve your space in advance online at arrive at the carpark you've pre-booked, and the Stagecoach shuttle will drop you off right in the centre of the action - at Ayr Esplanade. And, with Stagecoach operating the shuttles every three to four minutes you won't need to wait around for long when you arrive." Parking must be booked in advance via South Ayrshire Council. For details and to book, visit here.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
International beach volleyball tournament comes to South Ayrshire
The tournament is set to take place from Friday, July 18 until Sunday, July 20. South Ayrshire will play an important role in the international sporting scene by hosting a leg of the 2025 Small Countries Association (SCA) Beach Volleyball Zonal Tour next week. The international tournament is set to take place from Friday, July 18 until Sunday, July 20 at the inland courts at Kyle Academy in Ayr. The SCA Zonal Tour includes teams from countries across Europe, including Andorra, Ireland, Liechtenstein and Monaco. In partnership with Scottish Volleyball, South Ayrshire Council's Thriving Communities – Health and Wellbeing team will be running a volleyball session through their Active Communities Programme. This session will take place from 6pm until 7.30pm on Friday, July 18 and will allow people of all ages and abilities to try their hand at volleyball. Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Brian Connolly, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Scotland's volleyball community, and I'm delighted that our facilities at Kyle Academy have been chosen to host such an important competition. "The event is open to members of the public to spectate and will be a great day out for both volleyball enthusiasts and those who enjoy watching fast-paced, lively sporting events. I wish the Scotland team the very best of luck." The council's Depute Leader and tourism spokesman, Alec Clark, said: "It's fantastic news that Scottish Volleyball will be coming to Ayr to host this international tournament. It's not every day that opportunities arise to be involved in competitions of this level and South Ayrshire looks forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike." Places for volleyball session can be booked here. More information on the tournament can be found here.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Prestwick construction firm Ashleigh confirmed as key airshow sponsor
South Ayrshire Council has confirmed the backing of the major local firm for the event once again this year. Council chiefs say they are "delighted" to welcome back a major Prestwick construction firm as a key sponsor for this year's International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight. Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited returns for the third year in a row to support the highly anticipated event. The airshow drew impressive crowds to Ayr's shorefront last year with over 260,000 visitors in attendance across the weekend. This success has seen Ashleigh take the opportunity to lend their support once again. This year's show will take place at Ayr shorefront on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6 with a jam-packed line-up of thrilling aerial displays as well as fun for the whole family at the Festival Village on the Low Green. Council leader, Brian Connolly, said: "It's a pleasure to welcome back Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited as a major sponsor for the airshow. The festival has gone from strength to strength in the past two years, and we're excited to deliver another superb show this September. It's great to have support again from a local company." Tourism spokesman, and depute council leader, Alec Clark said: "Sponsorship has been a key element in the success of our airshow in the previous two years. We're pleased to be working with Ashleigh once again to help deliver a fantastic event that will draw in crowds both from the local area and across the UK." Ashleigh Managing Director, Euan Clark, said: "This will be our third year as principal sponsor, and we are delighted to continue that support to this amazing event. The Festival of Flight is one of the biggest annual attractions in South Ayrshire and, as a locally based company, gives us the opportunity to get involved and celebrate the local economy. "We are especially excited this year with the return of the Red Arrows and looking forward to another fantastic occasion, with the Ashleigh banners on prominent display!" If you're interested in sponsoring The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight, please get in touch at ayrshow@
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
South Ayrshire Tourist Tax put on the back burner for two years
The upfront costs, a lack of definitive 'cash benefit', and industry opposition led to councillors agreeing to pause the project for at least a couple of years. A new South Ayrshire tourist tax has been put on the back burner. But tourism spokesperson, Councillor Alec Clark, believes that despite the nature of the tax offered by the Scottish Government, a visitor levy was inevitable. South Ayrshire Council's Cabinet heard that a visitor levy of between one and five per cent would bring in between £400k and £2m a year at most. However, significant upfront costs, a lack of definite cash benefits and the opposition of major tourism groups, led to officials recommending a two year pause. Assistant Director of Communities, George Hunter, told the Cabinet on Wednesday: 'Officers have been considering the pros and cons of a visitor levy, including an open consultation that ran for the best part of three months.' He said that the Scottish Tourism Alliance, which is the industry body for tourism, had raised concerns about potential impact on Scotland's competitiveness as a tourism destination. The Federation of Small Businesses also raised concerns about the impact and small accommodation providers who may struggle with the administrative burden of collecting the levy. He continued: 'The FSB have also expressed concerns, supported by engagement with local accommodation providers about the potential negative impact on the local economy. A similar position was taken by The Association of Scottish Self-Caterists who said that, given the current challenging economic climate, the levy would be an additional burden on their members. The project has been part of the council's transformation programme. Mr Hunter said that officers on the transformation board had looked at the survey feedback and had recommended a pause that would allow them to monitor the impact in other areas which had already agreed to go ahead with a levy. Councillor Clark said: 'I agree with the outcome and I agree that it has to be reviewed in August 2027. 'I do believe, eventually, we will have a tourist levy. The problem this particular time is that it was complex. 'It was from the very beginning. The Scottish Government decided to make it a percentage levy, whereas anywhere else has a flat rate. 'That complicated things from the start, because it was a percentage not necessarily of a whole hotel. You have to break that down. 'That causes administration costs right away. It is obviously taken up by the City of Edinburgh and Glasgow, because they themselves have the amount of tourism to justify it, and it'll be interesting to see how Argyll and Bute Council go along with this. 'I think that the problem with the survey is that if you had surveyed the nation or a town to say if they would like to a tax rise, the answer is going to come back 'No', it's a negative. 'So we go anywhere in Europe, travel anywhere else in the world, and you pay a visitor levy. 'And that visitor levy goes towards making improvements to the tourism offer, and indeed to the suburbs. 'The problem here is the way that the rest of levy is constructed to be distributed is complicated. 'It's not just a certain manner of distribution that South Ayrshire can turn and say, okay, we bring in £200k and we will use that £200k for x, y and z. 'I think it goes through, though I stand to be corrected, a different type of board who than decide what the priorities are, and it's not necessarily what way we decide. 'So, overall, I do agree with what we're doing. I support the paper. But, I do think in the end, when the review comes, it may be looked at in a different manner. 'I would hope that the process coming out the Scottish Government is more straightforward.' Following a query from Councillor Hugh Hunter on the specific reason to remove the levy project from the transformation portfolio, Assistant Director of Transformation, Louise Reid, pointed out that the guidance from Audit Scotland requires the work of the board to deliver 'cashable benefits.' She said: 'As yet, we've been unable to clearly identify what the cashable benefits would be from the introduction of a visitor levy, given the set-up costs that involved developing the new technology, implementing systems and processes. 'There's also a resource requirement up front that would be required. Now, given that there's an also an 18 month consultation that's statutory in place, those costs would be over a number of financial years until we're actually able to generate any benefits from it. 'So, given the focus of the transformation program is on projects that are going to support the council's budget deficit and financial sustainability, that's the recommendation that it should move to this point.' Cabinet agreed to pause the visitor levy programme until August 2027.
