mid summer update

I think the stouche over the lapdancing/pole dancing club application is finally beginning to subside – but it certainly was the talk of the steamie for a couple of weeks and livened up the usually rather dry and dusty corridors at the County Buildings . Everyone was talking about it. Of course it could all be stirred up again in October at the next Licensing Board meeting when Forbes Robertson will be able to re-apply for his entertainment licence. By that time board members will have been able to do their homework and we will have caught up with the Scottish Executive`s latest recommendations regarding `adult entertainment`.

The responses to my blog were interesting – particularly the young woman who pointed out that it wasn`t women who were exploited at such clubs – but it was more a case of the women exploiting the men who came to watch. Interesting point.

The thorny subject of community and town hall rents raised its head briefly this week when a letter went out to the users of Maybole Town Hall telling them that the hourly rent was to increase to £8. Consternation – even panic - naturally followed with clubs and groups thinking they were facing shutdown. However that decision has been put on hold until the whole question of hall rents in South Ayrshire is discussed by the leadership panel at the end of August. Will the panel recommend that the rents go up? We will need to wait and see. – and be ready for a fight.

The council is now going into recess for a few weeks – which has come as a relief particularly to we new councillors who have been running round like headless chickens (at least that`s what it sometimes felt like) trying to learn everything at once. It is now time to take stock and get ready for a busy decision-making time ahead.

We are of course still in contact – recess just means there are no official meetings – so don`t hesitate to get in touch via the blog, email or phone if you have any problems or concerns.

The council never really closes.