Who has gone to Iceland?

I remember way back when I took out my first bank account, I had a vision of a cupboard somewhere where my savings sat in a pile and I could walk in at any time and lift them out. This concept of the banking process in fact stayed with me for many decades. My money was piled up there all safe and warm . . .
Then came the shock realisation that it was all just figures on paper.

Which begs the question just WHERE is all the money? Where are those trillions of pounds being banded about to save the economy from meltdown? What giant cupboard are they stashed in?

Have you noticed how actual money is going out of fashion? Whe did you last use actual cash? I keep getting caught out by the window-cleaner who naturally enough does not deal in plastic. Now, to meet the demands of the 21st century he has to accept cheques - or, I would imagine, he would never get paid! But at least, going door to door, he does get paid in the real thing unlike the rest of us who just see figures on pay cheques and bank statenets.

I`ve named this month`s blog, who`s gone to Iceland. Well actually, I have. I was in Reykjavik earlier this year as part of a Cosla delegation to an international conference. And what a fascinating place it is. During a conducted tour the success of their banking institutions was stressed and the place was certainly booming. Gleaming tower business blocks were dominating the quaint old fashioned city and round every corner you found a construction site. There was a real air of prosperity - not a street beggar in sight. In most driveways there were at least two large 4x4s - admittedly the Icelanders need them rather than small cars,considering their extreme climate and desolate landcape. And the other signs of a successful economy were there - McDonalds, Starbucks, Hilton Hotels. . . .

I came home raving about how a nation with a small population - around 350,000- could prosper and pointing out that South Ayrshire Council could learn some lessons for future development.

Little did I realise they were already there. . . . And now we have the discovery this week that £5m of your taxpayers` cash is locked up in an Icelandic bank with little sign of it being released any time soon.

It is of course too early so say how this will affect the council`s finances and your services - and it is people higher placed than me that will be making the decisions.



I hope the matter doesn`t become a political football between the Scottish and Westminster governments; that a sensible solution is found and soon.

On another matter entirely plans are now well underway for the Year of the Homecoming. South Ayrshire is hosting the opening event - a week-end of Burns celebrations with a Burns Supper hosted by First Minister Alex Salmond and a spectacular light event at Burns Monument kicking things off. However the year goes on until Novemeber and the council is keen for groups and associations to put on Burns themed events throughout the year. Cash is available and application forms for grants up to £5,000 are now waiting to be picked up at Burns House and the council are encouraging people to apply. (The forms are a wee bit daunting - but council staff are only too ready to help you fill them in. If you have an idea, get cracking - before all the money is handed out!