A TARBOLTON community leader has hit back at comments from South Ayrshire Council Leader Hugh Hunter.

Sam Gardiner, secretary of the Tarbolton Tenants" and Residents" Association, has questioned how much money the council have put into the village.

His comments come after we exclusively revealed the association have written to their local MP and councillor asking to be moved over the border into East Ayrshire.

And an Ayr Advertiser Series online poll has shown over 90 per cent of readers would be in favour of the move. Sam said: 'Hopefully this result will give encouragement to the campaign.

'I would like to comment on the remarks attributed to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Hunter.

'He commented on the document - "A Vision for Tarbolton". He may not have been aware that this was NOT a council production but the published results of the efforts of Greenspace and the local community.

'The two projects he commented upon were, according to him, being funded by Greenspace and the council. Nearly true! What he forgot to mention was the majority contribution towards both projects came from local community funding efforts. Indeed, the council contribution, while welcomed, was only some �3,000 of what is currently a potential outlay of �30,000 for these two identified projects.

'Equally he failed to mention the other projects resulting from the Greenspace/Placemaking event already carried out and funded outwith any council contributions.' Sam also had issue with Councillor Hunter"s statement that the Rural Panel had funded Tarbolton projects over the last two years.

He added: 'One of these related to the Cross demolition work - the �3,000 already mentioned.

'A further grant of �3,100 was secured from the Rural Panel towards the School Garden Project.

'Again this was warmly welcomed, however, this will eventually represent about a quarter of the actual outlay, the remainder, again, coming from local community funding efforts.

'While we acknowledge council advice and assistance to the village, we do find difficulty in identifying any substantial recent "money or resources put in by the council"s regeneration team, partners or agencies".' 'We do acknowledge the valued financial assistance from Tarbolton Landfill Limited. Without their assistance few of the projects carried out over recent years would have been possible.'