People Power

You may have doubted the influence of people power- but last week`s headlines have shown it is alive and well and thriving in South Ayrshire.

But let`s go back a few weeks - to-D-day for the council budget. Certainly as the Scottish Government requested we were able to keep the council tax the same as last year, but it came at a cost - we had to make cuts.

And we made plenty of them but it was the closure of the Pets` Corner at Belleisle that lit the torch paper and had the locals reaching for pen and paper. They organised petitions, wrote to the local papers, bombarded all the local counillors with emails, whether they were Ayr or not. Everyone was outraged; we had certainly touched a nerve.

Now the Pets` Corner had been in a sorry state for years- but it was, in the parlance of Tony Blair, the people`s Pets` Corner and they were outraged that we had decided to close it without consulting them. Admittedly I went there as a child, took my daughter there when she was young and from reading the letters pages of the local press most of the population had fond memories of visiting there and wanted it to stay open.

The council was in a bind - the decision had been made - but fairy godmothers - or more correctly in this case, fairy godfathers - do still exist and came riding to the rescue. The local Rotary Clubs and the generous businessman saved our skins and for now certainly the pets live to fight another day at Belleisle. Shame really,I had found a home for the donkey!!

But it`s not over. We are to be tested again over another `easy option` cut that slipped through and has outraged more local people. Straiton public toilets are in line for closure and the locals are not happy. Which is understandable when you consider Straiton is a top tourist village, one that attracts thousands of hillwalkers - who will no doubt be attracted to the new network of paths currently being opened to criss-cross the area!

What are they to do - look for the nearest bush? Not very 21st century. It is argued that we do not have a statutory duty to provide public toilets but until an alternative solution is found - like encouraging local pubs or cafes to allow the public in as is done in some places in England- surely it is better to try and keep them open.(Though some are in such a disgusting state you would be better looking for a bush!)

One solution has been found in Kirkoswald where the public toilets were also earmarked for closure - not the best move when you consider the heavy traffic use of the A77 and the number of lorries, buses etc that stop in Kirkoswald betwixt Northern Ireland and Glasgow. With some pressure (some applied by yours truly) they were saved and the unexpected bonus is that the Costley and Costley empire currently revitalising the centre of the village with their new hotel and museum and whisky shop plan, have agreed to take over the upkeep of the toilets. They recognise that the new path networks will be attracting more walkers and cyclists to the area. And I bet those toilets will be clean!

Maybe that is the route that should be followed - some fresh thinking on an old problem. But that is for another day. For the moment Straiton villagers are presenting a petition to the council on March 20. It will be interesting to see what success they have. But at least the Belleisle outcome should maybe give them hope.