ANGRY campaigners in Muirhead have made a final warning to councillors to “do the right” thing and help save their Activity Centre.
And they have been backed up by Troon Community Council, who are writing to SAC to object against proposals of a community asset transfer of the building to Dundonald Gymnastics Club ahead of the full council meeting where it will be decided on Wednesday, December 18.
Helen Duff, community council chair, said: “We are going to send a letter to the 28 councillors within South Ayrshire, not just the four in Troon, in support of the people in Muirhead. This is an important facility which has to be kept.”
Ann Cameron, Troon community councillor, said: “We are fighting a terrible battle there were 1,400 signatures against the plans.”
Muirhead Tenants and Residents’ Association chairwoman Frances Carson hopes the council will back them.
She said: “I’m hopeful South Ayrshire Council will do the right thing. I have written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon seeking her support. The legislation for community asset transfer is a good idea but I don’t believe it had in mind there would be fully functioning buildings like Muirhead. It’s a good thing if it’s used in the right way.
“What’s the point in bringing in someone to do what we are doing already. The building could either stay as it is, the club could get it or if the council don’t make a decision then it will go to the Scottish Government.”
There was support for the tenants group from Troon councillor Philip Saxton.
He said: “The community asset transfer was put back to us by the Audit and Governance Panel but we backed our decision which was to reject it. There were 1,400 signatures on the petition against the plans.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here