EARLY LEARNING & CHILDCARE

South Ayrshire Council are ready to deliver 1140 early learning and childcare hours if public health advice is changed at the end of July 2020, as indicated by Mr Swinney in his announcement on Thursday 16 July 2020. I appreciate that the last few months have brought about uncertainty for families who were hoping to benefit from the increased hours when early years centres re-open in August, and I would like to thank parents for their patience and support. South Ayrshire Council remain committed to delivering the increased provision to support children and families. When the guidance is changed, early years centres will contact parents with updated information on the hours their child will be offered. 

 

MOUNT OLIPHANT/GLENRIDDEL ROAD

I had previously requested new road markings at this junction as I was aware they were faded around Christmas 2019. Following on from a RTC that took place recently, I contacted Ayrshire Roads Alliance and requested this again as a matter of urgency. I am pleased to say this was done less than 48 hours after the incident. 

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KINCAIDSTON DRIVE - DISCARDED NAILS

A constituent recently contacted me regarding a large amount of discarded nails which resulted in several residents needing to replace tyres. An expense I am sure we can all agree, we like to avoid. I contacted Ayrshire Roads Alliance however I went out to the location within an hour of the complaint and picked up as many as I could. Could any workmen in future please be more considerate. 

 

WILLOW PARK RESURFACED

There was considerable road damage on Willow Park due to the flash floods we experienced in August 2019 . Many thanks to Ayrshire Roads Alliance for a quick response to the damaged area cut out and replaced within a few days. I am pleased to say there has been no reports of flooding since. 

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DRAINAGE AT GLENCARIN PARK

This is an ongoing saga as originally the area was a pond which is fed by a spring that originates in Castlehill Woods. Due to a damaged field drain and a few manhole clogged with debris such as plastic bottles, the path area is quite susceptible to flooding. I have had a few inspections and the drains jetted. In the coming year I aim to fix and add additional drainage. 

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LOCAL SHOPS RESURFACED 

The footpaths and the road surface at both Forehill and Hillfoot shops were badly needing replaced when I was first elected. I was pleased to be able to secure a new footpath and road at Forehill shops in December 2017. Something previous elected representatives were unable to achieve. I was also pleased to see Hillfoot shops done the following year. 

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GLENCAIRN ROAD DRAINAGE 

Due to the resurfacing of Glencarin Road, the original iron work gullies were now not receiving water and an additional diverter gully was required to be added to both the Holmston Drive and Armour Drive junctions to ensure adequate runoff. I am pleased to say this was reported and work was completed within a week. There has been no issues reported since. 

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NEW ROAD MARKINGS 

I am pleased to say there has been several new road markings throughout the ward. This as ever will be something that will always be required but often goes unreported. If you see any roads within the ward that have poor road markings please contact me and let me know. Good clear road markings can be the difference between an accident or not. 

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MEADOWPARK RESURFACED

​Ian Douglas, Chair of Belmont, Kincaidston and St Leonards Community Council handed me a petition signed by the residents of Meadowpark backing my request to have Meadowpark included in this years Road Improvement Plan after not qualifying last year. This issue was brought to my attention on the doors in my election campaign and I am happy it will now be addressed. This will form part of over £9.5 million investment in road improvements for 2019/2020. The inclusion was passed at Leadership Panel in May 2019, with work due to be scheduled for April 2020.

Update – I am aware work has not commenced with this yet. Understandably things have been put on hold due to the Covid-19 crisis but as soon as we resume some sort of normality I will seek to have a time scale as to when this will be actioned and will update residents as soon as I receive this information.

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LITTER PICKS

I have taken part in several litter picks within the ward organised by both Community Councils which were well attended with plenty of ground covered each session. During lockdown I have noticed a considerable increase in constituents contacting me with concerns of litter within the ward and have been disappointed to see many discarded gloves and masks on popular walkways such as the River Ayr. Once restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so, I will be looking to set up my own litter picking sessions around the ward. While I fully believe the Council has a responsibility to uplift rubbish, I do believe it is also the responsibility of residents living within the ward to keep our community clean and tidy encouraging our children to bin it at all times. 

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CASTLEHILL WOODS PATHS  

I worked really closely with Forehill, Holmston and Masonhill  Community Council & South Ayrshire Council on this project. I was in a fortunate position, given my background in construction, to be able to keep costs down by driving the machinery myself. I am always keen to get my hands dirty and wouldn't ask, nor expect anyone to do something I wouldn't myself.   A massive thanks to the collaboration with the Community Council volunteers we were able to make a positive difference to the community and I am pleased to see the paths being used by many residents of Ayr East. 

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KINCAIDSTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

In July 2019 I requested a repair to the entrance to both Kincaidston Community Centre and Bowling Club after a complaint from Bowling Club members due to difficulty accessing the site. Picture of work completed.

 

KINCAIDSTON SKATE PARK​

In March 2019 I was pleased to see Kincaidston Play Park getting a much needed resurface.  This was needing done for several years which ultimately resulted in parents stopping taking their children to play. I am glad to see it being used again.

 

 KINCAIDSTON BURN CLEAN UP 

I worked closely with Belmont, Kincaidston & St Leonards Community Council to organise the burn clean up which was a huge success. The amount of waste we recovered was phenomenal managing to fill one skip of general waste and one skip of scrap. Should everything go to plan with lockdown, I have a planned burn clean up scheduled for September. Keep an eye on my dates for the diary page for more information. 

 

​URBAN COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD  

Humbled to be nominated two years in a row for awards. I was absolutely delighted to of won it last year. 

UPDATE - I am absolutely astonished to be nominated for the third year running. Although it is great to have your hard work recognised, everything I do in this ward is to better it for every resident living in it and will continue to work hard to make positive change.  

 

​CONSTITUENT ENQUIRES 

Since my time taking office I have been able to help and support many constituents with their issues and problems with a high positive outcome rate. For me this is an important part of the job and I am always here to answer any constituent enquires. ​

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TRAFFIC ISSUES 

Traffic issues have and continue to be an issue within the ward. I am of the belief that all the ward should be a 20mph zone except the two main arterial routes, Holmston Road and Dalmellington Road as its a highly built up area with 6 schools within the ward. Although surrounding streets to the schools are 20mph during school times and equipped with speed humps, this does not seem to combat the wards speeding issues. I have worked closely with Ayrshire Roads Alliance to monitor and collate data on the various speeding black spots in the ward. This is helping me to build my case to have the speed restrictions implemented.  I have also worked closely with the police on this matter with police doing random speed checks within the ward which i continue to welcome.  

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PARKING ISSUES AROUND FOREHILL, KINCAIDSTON AND HOLMSTON PRIMARY SCHOOLS 

As you may be aware, any resident living in the vicinity of these schools will be, inconsiderate and dangerous parking by parents is a major issue. Since my election, I have worked with, Ayrshire Roads Alliance, Police Scotland, the Schools and Parents to try and find preventative solutions for this. Before lockdown the Ayrshire Roads Alliance had been working on solutions for each school based on my recommendations, i shall be pursuing this when they return to full working capacity. This includes various exclusion zones and residents only times and in the case of Kincaidston Primary, i have plans to reopen the old car park beside the play park as additional resident parking and a possible drop off area.

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NEW QUEEN MARGARET ACADEMY 

February 2020 seen the official opening of the new state of the art school by John Swinney MSP. I was  privileged to attend the ceremony which was an exceptional event of musical entertainment.  The new facility will replace the asbestos lined old building and brings a fresh new aspect to learning for the  school. The school also has dedicated community facilities and extensive sports facilities, all available to the people of South Ayrshire. 

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NEW EARLY YEARS CENTRE AT FOREHILL & KINCAIDSTON PRIMARY 

Forehill and Kincaidston communities will benefit from the addition of two new dedicated Early Years Learning facilities. These were due to be completed by August this year, due to Covid19, completion will be as soon as practically possible. UPDATE - I am pleased to say construction has recommenced. 

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NEW PLAY EQUIPMENT AT WOODPARK

The playpark in Belmont has benefited from new equipment in the past few years as we continue our play equipment upgrade programme.

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COMMUNAL WALLS IN KINCAIDSTON 

Answering a safety complaint about the structural integrity and  safety of some of the retaining and dividing walls in the communal areas of Kincaidston I arranged for a survey of the damage resulting in extensive remedial repairs to the majority of the walls after years of neglect. I continue to monitor this situation quarterly.

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BIN STORAGE IN FENWICKLAND AVENUE 

An ongoing issue that I have is the lack of storage facilities for the many bins of Fenwickland Avenue flats. The Waste Disposal and Neighbourhood Services team have been tasked to, as close as possible, meet the combined needs of the majority of residents to provide a cleaner, more manageable area and process for their waste disposal.

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LANTERNS

I have seen a lot of reports and complaints from concerned member of public, of a mass release of sky lanterns during the pandemic, to recognise key workers and NHS staff during the Coronavirus pandemic.This is something that has been banned in South Ayrshire since December 2017, when I brought a motion to Full Council. This ban prohibits the intentional release of lanterns (and helium balloons) from Council owned property and events and all licences events on non council land, as the law does not yet allow the powers to enforce a complete ban for everywhere. This is something I have been continually working on and hope that after lockdown a unilateral approach from all councils can lead to action taken at Government level to introduce a complete ban and restriction on sales. The NFUS has called for a complete ban on these lanterns for a number of years now and with South Scotland MSP Emma Harper supporting the call, I am posting to raise awareness again of the risks and damage that can be caused. Echoing mine and many other councillors concerns previously, Emma Harper said "The release of lanterns presents an unwelcome risk to livestock, farm buildings and domestic and commercial property - particularly in rural areas including my South Scotland region. Put simply, these lanterns are not safe.”

https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/environmentalhealth/chinese-lanterns/

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/south-ayrshire-council-bosses-ban-11934111

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