Greetings all, it is a stunning Autumn day, The Valley looks beautiful and Galston is busy. How different Galston looks today compared with over 20 years ago when I first joined the Community Council.
It was with great pleasure that I attended the Lace Exhibitions in each of the valley towns, I think we all felt a great sense of pride in the displays and in experiencing our heritage. A massive congratulations to everyone involved for all the hard work
My autumn report follows below, many of the items are on-going, this report provides an update on my prime areas of work/focus.
Early Intervention – SL 33 (Skills & Learning) – in Galston – for The Valley
This network provides local face-to-face employment support, career coaching and training opportunities. The target audience is ALL local residents seeking foundational skill training, school leavers, individuals requiring additional support needs or anyone looking to re-enter the workforce.
Anti-Social Behaviour
In May last year I presented a Motion to Council asking that we developed an ASB strategy – which – along with the police, we are legally required to do. This policy and strategy will be presented to Full Council next week. I look forward to seeing it. In particular, I will be looking for a formal strategy for addressing neighbour related ASB.
Road and Pavement Repairs
In the next few weeks ARA will be asking us to provide a list of outstanding road and pavement repairs for The Valley, please watch this space, our requests will be made through the various community groups and social media outlets.
Transfer of Outdoor Amenities to Ayrshire 360.
This will take place in April 2027, with Ayrshire 360 taking responsibility for our outdoor spaces. Staff recruitment has commenced and ‘service level standards’ are in the process of being produced.
It is intended that the new teams will ‘hit the ground running’. I feel more optimistic now than I have done throughout my nearly 10 ten-year tenure. We have seen the maintenance standards along with staff morale slip to an all-time low.
Veterans and the War Memorial
On Wednesday I was very privileged to attend a cookery demonstration by Mark Hunter – employee and veteran, at the Centre Stage Cookery School. These are regular cookery classes for veterans – it was great fun and we made a delicious curry.
The War Memorial in Galston looks fabulous. Next week along with other volunteers we will be making it ready for Remembrance Sunday. We were very pleased to have been awarded the runner up prize for Best Kept War Memorial in the Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway region.
Nb – next year must do better!
Constituents Matters
Along with my colleague Cllr Kevin McGregor, we both acknowledge that the volume of constituent’s queries has increased hugely, in particular, in relation to Health & Social Care matters. We sincerely do our best to address all constituents’ queries raised.
Ross Court
During the last year I have spent considerable time at Ross Court to help try and address various housing related matters. I am working with Senior Management within housing at EAC to improve the physical appearance and the reporting structures and organisation.
Clynchyard Place
By way of reminder, 4 flatted blocks – 16 self-contained homes plus a staff base have been subject to an extensive refurbishment programme. Two of the blocks have been let to applicants in support of the SG Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement programme. The new tenants are settling in well and are being supported by our Resettlement Team.
In relation to the other two blocks, the refurbishment works are nearing completion, and these will soon be available as part of the councils Moving On Service for people with complex needs. 24-hour support will be provided from the adjacent staff base.
Public Service Reform
The Scottish Government is proposing a major restructuring of local government, with the current 32 councils likely to be replaced by 6 – 10 larger regional authorities. A Three-month consultation programme commenced about a month ago, though I have yet to see anything that looks remotely like consultation. I suspect that the target vision has been determined and that so called consultation is a tick box exercise.
Along with my fellow independent Elected Members, I asked to be included in the discussions, however, the leaders of the SNP and Labour Groups specifically requested that we should not be included. They are clearly keen to retain the current deeply flawed status quo.
