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Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Councillors' unexpected journey to South Ayrshire's top table
Independent Councillors Brian Connolly and Alec Clark speak about their journey from being the only independents on South Ayrshire Council to becoming Leader and Depute Leader. Two months ago, Councillor Brian Connolly became South Ayrshire's first independent council leader. But he almost fell into politics by accident. In 2006, he was a member of Maybole Community Council, with no real aspirations to 'higher' office. When the then-Labour Council Leader Andy Hill resigned, both from his post and position as councillor for North Carrick and Maybole East, the businessman offered to stand. However, he was told that he would have had to be a party member for at least six months to be eligible. That seemed to be that – until Labour announced that they were putting forward a candidate from Coylton. Cllr Connolly told Labour that, unless they selected a member from within the ward he would stand as an independent. This was during the last year of the single member wards, which was replaced by the current multi-member wards in 2007. In the end he won the seat by the absolute smallest of margins, defeating former Ayr Advertiser Editor, Conservative candidate Ann Galbraith, by a single vote which was confirmed after three recounts. Labour were left to rue their choice, with Sandra Goldie falling from first to third of the four candidates. He was re-elected in the 2007 election as one of four councillors in Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton – alongside the two Labour and Conservative candidates he had defeated the year before. That election marked the biggest shift in a generation, with the upsurge in support for the SNP. As Cllr Connolly had become South Ayrshire Council's first ever independent member, the SNP picked up their first seats – with their eight councillors transforming the authority into a three-way contest between them, Labour and the Conservatives. As the sole 'neutral', Cllr Connolly said he was sought out to carry out a number of roles despite his inexperience, including the chair of the key scrutiny committee. It would not be until the next election, in 2012, that Cllr Connolly would be joined by another Carrick member. When Cllr Alec Clark was elected to the Girvan and South Carrick ward, it became clear that a commonality of purpose and understanding that it would be logical to support each other as independents, meant that their paths would become entwined. Cllr Clark also came from a community council background, but took a more circuitous route to the council. Coming from a Girvan family, he had met his wife in Gibraltar and spent the majority of the 80s in the region, before returning to Girvan in 1988. He got involved in the community soon thereafter. As a businessman he was aware of the defunct Girvan Merchants Association and with others worked to launch a new Girvan Business Association. The group helped the town obtain Christmas lights and CCTV among other things. He then took up the position of Chair of Girvan Community Council in the noughties, eventually deciding to make the leap to stand for South Ayrshire Council. Cllr Clark admitted that he did consider the possibility of standing on a party ticket, but eventually chose an independent path. He said: 'I stood to be elected because things were happening in Girvan which I thought weren't getting the right oversight. They had lost the beach pavilion and then decided to close the swimming pool for no good reason. His work in the community had certainly been noticed. In that 2012 election he picked up almost half of the first preference votes, almost 30 per cent ahead of the three mainstream parties, with the Conservatives ultimately losing their seat. Cllr Clark said: 'Brian and I have worked close together ever since really. I did know Brian before I went to the council and went to him for advice around what was involved. 'At that time I was still in business. Once I was retired I was able to take on portfolios. 'At the time trying to invest but at a minimum. We ended up with a Quay Zone that wasn't the finished article. So these are the things that drove me. I have always been community minded.' He added: 'As depute leader and Brian as Leader, our focus is on South Ayrshire as a whole. 'But at the time there certainly wasn't an equilibrium between Ayr, Prestwick and Troon and what was dubbed the rural area. 'We had to have a better oversight of the whole of South Ayrshire. 'Not that, these are where most people stay and need houses and then build all of the houses there.' He said that in turn would lead to fewer moving to the south with the knock on impact on businesses and the local economy. Cllr Connolly said that while they were not at the heart of the administration in the 2012-17 term, both continued to be called to take on roles by virtue of their status. He said: 'That independence tag gives you that neutrality. Alec and I discuss politics in general very often, but on the council we have kept out of that. ' The 2017 election saw an SNP/Labour coalition take the council over from the Conservatives, with the two independents taking on portfolios and joining the then Leadership Panel. Cllr Connolly added: 'After 2017, we have had central roles in every administration. ' In 2022 it looked as though the two independents would join Labour and the SNP to continue their coalitionn. However, the two parties failed to come to an agreement. Cllrs Connolly and Clark said that their loyalty was not in question, despite an approach from the then Conservative leader Martin Dowey. Cllr Connolly said: 'To Martin's favour he asked us just after the election, but we said that we had committed our loyalty to SNP and Labour. 'That didn't happen, so when he came back, Martin said again 'will you take on these roles?' 'He actually came back and asked us twice and that is when we agreed to join the administration.' Cllr Clark added: 'At the end of the day if we have a position where we can influence things, then it is much better for us to help our communities.' Fast forward to the end of May and the breaking of the scandal that saw the Leader step down over promises made to a business over contracts, the Chief Executive resign and several Conservative councillors sever ties with the party. There had already been a shift in the balance of the administration before the crisis exploded, with the cabinet featuring more independents than Conservatives. There was significant criticism of the members of the administration, who were accused of 'rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic' by maintaining much the same cabinet as before. That journey for the two independent councillors reached its unexpected destination in June when they were elected Leader and Depute Leader. However, they are clear that they took the view that this change of leadership would not spark a series of upheavals. Cllr Connolly said: 'What was obvious to us all, we only had two years left in administration and we didn't want everything to change. 'By the time all that settles, you are into your last year and you have no time to do anything. 'We were quite comfortable with the path that the administration was on. 'We had projects coming to maturity and we have seen that, when administrations change, everything is up in the air. 'Our aim is to simply keep the council moving forward in the right direction.' Cllr Clark pointed to the regeneration work progressing across South Ayrshire. He said: 'It wasn't just Ayr, Prestwick and Troon, although they are getting their slice of it. 'We have a lot in other towns. Maybole is starting to get a lot of regeneration. Girvan is getting regeneration. 'We have everything set up to go and are on the cusp of this coming to fruition. 'Why would we want to change that?' With the number of independent councillors hitting double figures, as a result of elections and defections, Cllr Connolly admitted he would like to see more independents come the 2027 local elections. Both councillors said they had never foreseen or looked to pursue a bid for the top jobs when they were the only independents in town. Cllr Clark said: 'No, I didn't forsee it. 'What the journey we have had brings is experience. 'When you come into council, even though I had ten years with the community council, you have got to learn it is a political world, whether you are an independent or not. 'You have got to understand how the council works. What you can do what you cannot do. It is a big learning journey. 'But we have so much experience now that we find it quite comfortable. It is not something that we can't handle. 'That is why we can provide stability. We know that there is nothing that can come up that we have not seen before. The Leader agreed, saying: 'It is not the position I would have thought of at the start of the journey, particularly when we were the only independents. 'I think anybody, whether it is Joe Public or council officers, would want an independent run council. 'Politics just gets in the way.' The Depute Leader said: 'Politics is fine at a level above as you have to have that balance and checks. 'But an independent run council is absolutely much better.'
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Airshow benefits 'outweigh costs' insist new South Ayrshire Council leaders amidst funding concerns
Brian Connolly and Alec Clark agreed that officers should have budgeted for an increase in airshow costs, but remain firmly behind the event. Council Leader Brian Connolly has agreed that officers should have been more upfront about the budget for September's International Ayr Show. But Cllr Connolly and his independent depute Cllr Alec Clark are adamant that the benefits would still outweigh the costs. Officials had significantly underbudgeted for this year's event despite clear signs that the allocation they had agreed would not cover the cost of running the event. That led to councillors being asked to set aside up to £590k to meet any financial shortfall. Cllr Clark said: 'You heard a bit of turbulence at the last meeting about the air show. 'The International Ayr Show last year had about 250,000 visitors. That is absolutely huge. 'I was listening to the television this morning about the Great Yorkshire Show. They said they were going to have 36,000 visitors over a period of time.' Cllr Clark said that the numbers and prominence had highlighted the potential of a career in the aerospace industry to young people attending the event, with education and training a major part of the show. Cllr Clark added that the increased profile was already having an effect. He said: 'Look at what it has done for the Prestwick apron. There's the Red Arrows going to get work done on their new aeroplane at Prestwick. 'There is tie-in between that and the airshow and what is happening at the Prestwick apron is generating a host of new jobs.' He pointed to the impact of partners Skylab, who run a series of educational activities alongside the airshow, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and the highly skilled jobs these subjects open the door to. Cllr Clark said: 'If you were to go to the Marquee, where the STEM exhibition is taking place, you would see it was absolutely full and all of the kids were getting involved, hands on. They were absolutely loving it, as were the dads and mums. 'That is steering them towards a career in engineering or in aeronautics. That is great for South Ayrshire. ' The council leader cited another sign of the impact of that educational slant, from the businesses operating in Prestwick. He said: 'The level and quality of the applicants has gone through the roof, and the STEM is raising the profile of technology, maths and science.' Cllr Connolly also said that he had attended an education careers event at Ayr Racecourse this year. He said: 'The actual aeronautics 'corner' was absolutely mobbed. You could walk around the rest without a problem. 'But you couldn't get into that corner and it was 16 and 17-year-olds wanting information and wanting to put their names down. 'These are incredible careers to get into. 'We are potentially looking at more than a thousand jobs. That means houses. That means great jobs. It generates for the whole of South Ayrshire. 'Some will turn their nose up at it, but there is no question that the airshow has lifted the profile of that aeronautical environment. Absolutely no question. '
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Treating South Ayrshire Council services like a business is key say leadership duo
New Independent Leader, Brian Connolly, and depute, Alec Clark, say a business approach is the only way forward amid cash crisis. South Ayrshire Council's new leadership pairing have insisted that taking a business-like approach to some services is the only way forward against a backdrop of ever-increasing financial pressures. Independent Council Leader Brian Connolly and Depute Alec Clark insist that investment in non-statutory services must be sustainable, if not completely self sufficient. Cllr Connolly, who became the council's first independent leader in May, said that this shift in South Ayrshire Council's approach has been the biggest difference he has seen since he joined the council almost 20 years ago. Up until his election as leader, Cllr Connolly held the sports and leisure portfolio in both the Labour/SNP administration and the Conservative-run cabinet from 2022. During that time, there had been massive investment in South Ayrshire's sporting facilities, he said. But he insisted it was not simply a case of throwing money at projects, with investment essential to bring money back in to sustain those facilities. He said this was one of the reasons why members of the administration wanted to maintain stability in the face of the ongoing crisis around procurement that saw both the previous leader Martin Dowey and Chief Executive Mike Newall quit. He said: "It is part of the reason why we wanted to continue. "Our sports facilities are just fantastic. The money that we have invested in these facilities is absolutely fantastic. "But the aim, and this probably took us three-quarters of our time in the council, we've finally got to looking at it like a business. "Let us get people in and let's generate revenue. Revenue is the issue, the capital is much easier. "We can invest the capital, but only if we are looking at it as a business. "We are looking at Troon [pool] and we think that, once the extension is in place, the figures will be through the roof. "Prestwick is just about to reopen. When we do the Quayzone I am sure it will be the same. "The football pitches and the golf courses, they are all generating revenue. Depute Leader Clark, who represents Girvan and South Carrick, added: "We both come from a business background. "You have to look at something and say, what can we do to make that investment pay? "If it doesn't pay, it isn't going to work. "Anything we can to generate revenue we will do. It means, with sustainability, it will be there for the general public to enjoy." The financial strain faced by councils has made the need to find more sustainable approaches is key, they said. However, they acknowledge that the introduction of charging or increasing fees is often viewed negatively. Cllr Clark cited to the investment of more than £250,000 on public toilets at Ainslie Park in Girvan. He said: "First thing we saw was someone saying 'I'm not paying 50p to go to the toilet. "But these toilets are going to be cleaned every day, there has been investment to improve the facilities. "I would ask whether they would want the facility or just have it left as a dump?" Cllr Connolly insisted that this shift in emphasis is the most significant he has seen. He said: " It is not just a case of saying this is a service we have to provide and that is the cost, we are looking at how we can get the revenue back in. "Whether toilets or golf courses. We have to get the money back in. "That then eases the financial pressure on the council."
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
International beach volleyball tournament comes to South Ayrshire
The tournament is set to take place from Friday, July 18 until Sunday, July 20. South Ayrshire will play an important role in the international sporting scene by hosting a leg of the 2025 Small Countries Association (SCA) Beach Volleyball Zonal Tour next week. The international tournament is set to take place from Friday, July 18 until Sunday, July 20 at the inland courts at Kyle Academy in Ayr. The SCA Zonal Tour includes teams from countries across Europe, including Andorra, Ireland, Liechtenstein and Monaco. In partnership with Scottish Volleyball, South Ayrshire Council's Thriving Communities – Health and Wellbeing team will be running a volleyball session through their Active Communities Programme. This session will take place from 6pm until 7.30pm on Friday, July 18 and will allow people of all ages and abilities to try their hand at volleyball. Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Brian Connolly, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Scotland's volleyball community, and I'm delighted that our facilities at Kyle Academy have been chosen to host such an important competition. "The event is open to members of the public to spectate and will be a great day out for both volleyball enthusiasts and those who enjoy watching fast-paced, lively sporting events. I wish the Scotland team the very best of luck." The council's Depute Leader and tourism spokesman, Alec Clark, said: "It's fantastic news that Scottish Volleyball will be coming to Ayr to host this international tournament. It's not every day that opportunities arise to be involved in competitions of this level and South Ayrshire looks forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike." Places for volleyball session can be booked here. More information on the tournament can be found here.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Prestwick construction firm Ashleigh confirmed as key airshow sponsor
South Ayrshire Council has confirmed the backing of the major local firm for the event once again this year. Council chiefs say they are "delighted" to welcome back a major Prestwick construction firm as a key sponsor for this year's International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight. Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited returns for the third year in a row to support the highly anticipated event. The airshow drew impressive crowds to Ayr's shorefront last year with over 260,000 visitors in attendance across the weekend. This success has seen Ashleigh take the opportunity to lend their support once again. This year's show will take place at Ayr shorefront on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6 with a jam-packed line-up of thrilling aerial displays as well as fun for the whole family at the Festival Village on the Low Green. Council leader, Brian Connolly, said: "It's a pleasure to welcome back Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited as a major sponsor for the airshow. The festival has gone from strength to strength in the past two years, and we're excited to deliver another superb show this September. It's great to have support again from a local company." Tourism spokesman, and depute council leader, Alec Clark said: "Sponsorship has been a key element in the success of our airshow in the previous two years. We're pleased to be working with Ashleigh once again to help deliver a fantastic event that will draw in crowds both from the local area and across the UK." Ashleigh Managing Director, Euan Clark, said: "This will be our third year as principal sponsor, and we are delighted to continue that support to this amazing event. The Festival of Flight is one of the biggest annual attractions in South Ayrshire and, as a locally based company, gives us the opportunity to get involved and celebrate the local economy. "We are especially excited this year with the return of the Red Arrows and looking forward to another fantastic occasion, with the Ashleigh banners on prominent display!" If you're interested in sponsoring The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight, please get in touch at ayrshow@
