EASY PEASY

AS EASY as 1-2-3. At least that`s what they`re saying about the new voting system for the May 3 elections. And now I understand it I can explain it to you! All three Ayrshire councils combined to hold a seminar in the County Hall, Ayr on Saturday morning to demonstrate the new voting system to we candidates – so that we can answer your questions on the doorstep. I suppose it simply comes down to this – instead of putting a cross (X) against the candidate of your choice this time, you put down 1, 2, 3 and 4. And why four numbers? Easy peasy, you are voting for four councillors in the new extended ward of Coylton, Maybole and North Carrick. Got it? (Don`t worry, there are plenty leaflets on their way spelling it out). Counting will be different too this time round. It will all be done electronically. We have entered the computer age for vote counting – let`s hope there isn`t a power cut.

Good news this week for communities all over South Ayrshire. Community Councils are to get real cash to spend. There have been rumblings that the Civic Pride initiative has seemed to be concentrated on Ayr – you`ve heard the moans from some quarters about those flower baskets – so now cash is being made available in the budget for Community Councils to spend on pet projects. It`s all about extending Civic Pride throughout the whole of South Ayrshire. The amount being made available to each council will vary according to size of community – but the smallest will be £2,000.

Round the doorsteps comments still have the power to surprise and I was somewhat taken aback to have to discuss the merits Trident. Thank goodness this is not a council decision. I don`t think big national issues should ever reflect on local elections – but unfortunately they are sometimes the choice that people make. The only time one of my wee election cards was handed back on the doorstep was by a guy who still `couldn`t forgive` Margaret Thatcher! On a more local level I had some sympathy for a Straiton resident who said she had lived all over but found Ayrshire the dirtiest county she had stayed in. The council do their best and are spending more money and manpower on lifting the litter – but it is us who drop it!