Latest news with #BrianConnolly
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Airshow benefits 'outweigh costs' insist new South Ayrshire Council leaders amidst funding concerns
Brian Connolly and Alec Clark agreed that officers should have budgeted for an increase in airshow costs, but remain firmly behind the event. Council Leader Brian Connolly has agreed that officers should have been more upfront about the budget for September's International Ayr Show. But Cllr Connolly and his independent depute Cllr Alec Clark are adamant that the benefits would still outweigh the costs. Officials had significantly underbudgeted for this year's event despite clear signs that the allocation they had agreed would not cover the cost of running the event. That led to councillors being asked to set aside up to £590k to meet any financial shortfall. Cllr Clark said: 'You heard a bit of turbulence at the last meeting about the air show. 'The International Ayr Show last year had about 250,000 visitors. That is absolutely huge. 'I was listening to the television this morning about the Great Yorkshire Show. They said they were going to have 36,000 visitors over a period of time.' Cllr Clark said that the numbers and prominence had highlighted the potential of a career in the aerospace industry to young people attending the event, with education and training a major part of the show. Cllr Clark added that the increased profile was already having an effect. He said: 'Look at what it has done for the Prestwick apron. There's the Red Arrows going to get work done on their new aeroplane at Prestwick. 'There is tie-in between that and the airshow and what is happening at the Prestwick apron is generating a host of new jobs.' He pointed to the impact of partners Skylab, who run a series of educational activities alongside the airshow, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and the highly skilled jobs these subjects open the door to. Cllr Clark said: 'If you were to go to the Marquee, where the STEM exhibition is taking place, you would see it was absolutely full and all of the kids were getting involved, hands on. They were absolutely loving it, as were the dads and mums. 'That is steering them towards a career in engineering or in aeronautics. That is great for South Ayrshire. ' The council leader cited another sign of the impact of that educational slant, from the businesses operating in Prestwick. He said: 'The level and quality of the applicants has gone through the roof, and the STEM is raising the profile of technology, maths and science.' Cllr Connolly also said that he had attended an education careers event at Ayr Racecourse this year. He said: 'The actual aeronautics 'corner' was absolutely mobbed. You could walk around the rest without a problem. 'But you couldn't get into that corner and it was 16 and 17-year-olds wanting information and wanting to put their names down. 'These are incredible careers to get into. 'We are potentially looking at more than a thousand jobs. That means houses. That means great jobs. It generates for the whole of South Ayrshire. 'Some will turn their nose up at it, but there is no question that the airshow has lifted the profile of that aeronautical environment. Absolutely no question. '
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
- 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
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire tennis club to take charge of courts and net £100k to upgrade facility
The club launched a bid to take ownership of the three tennis courts earlier this year- in an attempt to stave off the threat of closure. South Ayrshire Council's Cabinet has unanimously approved a Community Asset Transfer Request (CAT) from members of Coylton Tennis Club. The club launched a bid to take ownership of the three tennis courts earlier this year - in an attempt to stave off the threat of closure. And on Tuesday, Cabinet members rubber stamped the proposals - and handed the club a £100,000 cash boost. Ayrshire Live can reveal that not only did they approve the sale of the courts for £3,000, the local authority will also stump up a £100,000 one-off grant- from their Advancing Community Asset Fund- to help bring the ageing courts up to scratch. The club, based at the Coylton Activity Centre in Hole Road, sought to become outright owners of the three courts at the site, currently owned by South Ayrshire Council. And the group, which gained charity status in September 2023, submitted a £3,000 offer for the courts, which they hoped would secure the club's future. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting ward Councillor Brian Connolly said: 'As a ward councillor, this ticks all the boxes from my perspective. It's a solid community committee who want to take this on and we have come up with a grant to assist them in doing that. It seems to be that it's very well supported.' Cllr William Grant also told the meeting: 'As a ward councillor I totally support this.' The club will, however, still need to secure additional funds in order to match their ambitious plans to improve the courts. Cllr Grant added: 'We are talking about a £100,000 (grant) here, but there's a shortfall of £57,000. Do we know if Coylton Tennis Club will be in a position to get the rest of the funding?' Council officer Colin Love said: 'The club has been quite proactive and they've had discussions with Sportscotland and the indications from Sportscotland are fairly positive - that they would be willing to act as a match funder to any award the council can offer. 'But there are other options the club can look at. Also, we'll continue to support them in their efforts to raise the additional match funding.' In their CAT request the club outlined their rationale for the move for ownership, saying: 'The current courts are 30 years old and are becoming unsafe and less acceptable for competition playing. 'The council, who own the courts, do not have the funds to replace them, so we have been told the only way to do this is to buy the courts as a CAT which will release some separate funding and allow the club to approach other bodies to make up the shortfall in funds needed to replace the courts and bring them up to standard.' The statement continues: 'Other tennis clubs in the Ayrshire area have started to complain about playing competitive matches on the courts because they are not up to modern, and safe, standards. 'The club is approaching its 100-year centennial and if the courts couldn't be replaced, the club would have to close. This would be a severe blow to the community and would involve travelling to other parts of Ayrshire to keep playing. 'It would also mean that younger children would be less likely to take up the sport, since it is always easier to play a sport that is on your doorstep as opposed to having to travel to get to somewhere else.' The courts are also used to provide coaching from a professional coach for both adults and juniors alike, at separate times. The statement added: 'The local schools have had their pupils use the courts in the past and the club is hoping to continue that use once the courts are brought more up to date.' Cabinet unanimously agreed to the recommendations in the report with regards to the CAT request. Councillor Hugh Hunter said: 'I think it's a really good news story as the community wants to take over this asset and run it. But we're not going to dump it on them. We're giving them support and I think we are giving them really strong support.' He added: 'It's an excellent message to send out to community groups. Come along with the correct business plan, the correct community plan and we will work with you, to help you establish the organisation after the community asset transfer.'
