Latest news with #ChrisCullen
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Tourist Tax' proposal could be put on hold at crunch meeting of South Ayrshire councillors
A report going before Cabinet on 17 June recommends that work on a possible levy should be paused. South Ayrshire Council could put plans for a potential tourist tax on hold. A report going before Cabinet on 17 June recommends that work on a possible levy should be paused. If agreed, a proposed 'Visitor Levy' for South Ayrshire would not be looked at again until August 2027 at the earliest. The report to Councillors highlights the results of a public survey on the possible introduction of a levy. The survey, which ran for just under three months, received 502 responses. 79 per cent of those who responded were not in favour of a levy. Direct representations were also made from The Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers (ASSC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Both organisations urged caution with a proposed tax, recommending further work is undertaken before plans for a levy across South Ayrshire are brought forward. The ASSC said that a levy would have a 'negative impact' on affected businesses. They also said that given the current challenging economic climate, the levy would be an 'additional burden' on their members. The FSB view is that a levy has the potential to provide 'meaningful investment' in the area's tourism infrastructure, but its implementation must be 'fair, proportionate, and carefully considered.' They requested that a local economic impact assessment is carried out, detailing scenarios for different levy rates, to provide a clearer understanding of its potential impact. Councils in Scotland have the power to impose a levy for people staying overnight in certain types of accommodation. The City of Edinburgh recently introduced a 5 per cent payment on the cost of paid, overnight accommodation. Councillor Alec Clark, Depute Leader and Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: 'It's important that we listen to our residents and accommodation providers, and we have done exactly that. 'If agreed we will put our plans on hold, this will allow us to gather more evidence and engage with experts across a number of sectors. 'I would like to thank everyone who filled in the survey. I would also like to thank the ASSC and FSB for their invaluable feedback.' Councillor Chris Cullen, Economic Development Portfolio Holder said: 'An agreed pause will allow us to examine data from the Edinburgh Levy and others, so we can gauge the costs and associated risks. 'In 2027 we would revisit the Levy, but I stress that in two years' time the Levy would still just be a proposal.'
Agriland
03-06-2025
- General
- Agriland
Breeding common cranes spotted in Co. Offaly bog
Bord na Móna has confirmed that a pair of common cranes have nested at a bog in Co. Offaly for the seventh consecutive year. The pair have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, and have recently been spotted at the nesting spot by a Bord na Móna ecologist. Following careful monitoring, it has been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs. According to Bord na Móna, breeding cranes are a 'returning species' in Ireland, as cranes were formerly lost as a breeding bird. It said that initial breeding attempts were made by a single pair in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This followed successful breeding in 2022, 2023, and 2024, which marks the first time in several hundred years that the species is part of Ireland's breeding avifauna. Cranes An ecologist at Bord na Móna monitoring the birds since 2022, Chris Cullen believes that the birds are benefitting from habitat improvements associated with Bord na Móna's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS). He said: 'Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter. 'In addition, over the last number of years, several summering but non-breeding individuals have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the midlands.' 'It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage,' Cullen added. The PCAS is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland. The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds. However, Bord na Móna has confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog formerly used to harvest peat for energy production.
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Rare cranes return to Offaly bog for seventh year
A pair of rare common cranes, which have previously nested at a bog in Co Offaly, have returned for a seventh consecutive year. The pair, which have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, have been seen back at their favoured nesting site by an ecologist working for Bord na Móna (BnM). Following careful monitoring it has now been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs. The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds. However, it is confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog, formerly used to harvest peat for energy production. "These birds are now benefitting further from habitat improvements associated with BnM's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS)" said Chris Cullen, Ecologist at BnM, who has been monitoring the Cranes since 2022. "Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter" he said. "In addition, over the last number of years, several summering, but non-breeding individuals, have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the Midlands" said Mr Cullen. "It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage" he added. The Peatland Climate Action Scheme is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Over 20,000 hectares has been rehabilitated under this Scheme to date. It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland. The crane is deeply connected to the culture and history of Ireland. They have been central to folklore tales such as Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the druids, St Colmcille and the Book of Kells.
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Election expert warns of Conservative collapse in South Ayrshire amid scandal and rise of Reform
Ballot Box Scotland's Allan Faulds said that the rise of Nigel Farage's party was already seeing them as a threat to the Tories. One of Scotland's top political analysts has warned South Ayrshire Conservatives that they could face collapse at the next local elections. Allan Faulds, who runs the Ballot Box Scotland website, says that the issues within the party, which has lost four members over the last week, combined with the rise of Reform UK could see a changed landscape when voters go to the polls in 2027. While acknowledging that there are specific local issues at play, he said: 'In general terms, Reform UK are polling at a level that in the absence of any information about the spread of their vote across a given council area, they should be treated as in contention in every ward in South Ayrshire. 'Given only a handful of those have multiple Conservative councillors as-is, that risks a complete collapse in Conservative numbers in 2027. '[They] could end up going from being so dominant as to get three Ayr West councillors back in 2017, to just one in 2027 for example.' South Ayrshire Council is already unrecognisable from the make up in 2022. While the Conservatives picked up the most seats, their share of the votes dropped from 43 per cent in 2017 to 33 per cent. The SNP, which had formed a coalition with Labour to form the administration in 2017, actually secured the most votes, with an increase in share of 3.9 per cent. It retained its nine seats, as did Labour with its five seats. However, no agreement on a coalition was reached between the two, opening the door to a Conservative administration, supported by independents. Since then the SNP faced a torrid time, losing four councillors. One, then group leader Peter Henderson, retired, while three others left the party – Chris Cullen to Alba, Group Leader William Grant and Mark Dixon becoming independents. The Conservatives saw Councillor Stephen Ferry quit the party, before the mass exodus the party has seen over the last week. The resignations have seen the number of independents swell. In 2017 there were just two, Councillors Alec Clark and Brian Connolly. This doubled in 2022, but now stands at 10 (11 if you take the sole Alba councillor Chris Cullen). South Ayrshire Council seats Independents 10 Conservatives 7 SNP 5 Labour 5 Alba 1
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
South Ayrshire Council in chaos says top councillor after Provost quits in "farcical" meeting
Chris Cullen says the local authority must quickly get its act together following a week in which it has threatened to fall apart. South Ayrshire faces a "governance crisis" according to one leading councillor. Chris Cullen, the authority's only Alba Party member, slammed this morning's "farcical" meeting at County Buildings which was cut short when furious Provost Iain Campbell quit in the chair. Campbell slammed "despicable people in this place whose egos are better than their ability" as he chucked the ceremonial chains. It followed an ill-tempered and, at times, chaotic meeting which came at the end of a disastrous week for the council in which leader, Martin Dowey, has pledged to step aside from his role. Earlier, councillors had voted narrowly to remove current depute leader, Tory Bob Pollock, from his position before the meeting exploded after alleged slurs were heard over the speaker systems being used by councillors taking part dialling in remotely. Now Cllr Cullen, who represents Ayr East, admits the council faces a power vacuum. He said: 'The situation we find ourselves in today is nothing short of a governance crisis. Our constituents deserve a working council, not a chamber where elected members throw childish insults at each other and walk away. "It is deeply disappointing that colleagues have resorted to this level of infighting over appointments. The council's leaders must have respect for the job and for the public, not trade immature barbs across the chamber.' The Alba Party councillor expressed grave concern that, amid the bickering and leadership vacancies, South Ayrshire is left effectively ungoverned. He added: 'This kind of chaos is unacceptable. Residents have pressing issues – from cuts to services to housebuilding delays – all of which is impacted by a council consumed by scandal. "The handling of this crisis has been far from satisfactory, and it's time for disputes and personal agendas are put aside putting the residents of South Ayrshire first. 'I remain fully dedicated to my constituents. I will continue working hard for Ayr East and across South Ayrshire, raising local concerns and pushing for solutions in every way I can. "Voters may see disagreements in council, but I promise them that this Alba councillor will not let partisan fighting interrupt our duty to the people we serve.'
