Latest news with #EastAyrshireCouncil
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Five councillors in court over health and safety matter
Scottish Tory councillor James Adams, who represents Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse, will appear alongside them. It is understood the charges relate to their capacity as trustees of the Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust, and not as councillors. Ms Maitland has represented Kilmarnock South since 2017, and serves as the member with responsibility for health and social care, while Mr Linton, who represents Kilmarnock and Crosshouse, was elected in 1999 and holds responsibility for resources and economy. Ms Leitch represents the Ballochmyle ward, which covers Auchinleck, Catrine, Cronberry, Logan, Lugar, Mauchline, Muirkirk and Sorn. Mr Douglas represents Kilmarnock East and Hurlford. All five councillors will appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Thursday June 12 on a pleading diet. In a statement provided to The Herald, East Ayrshire Council said: 'East Ayrshire Council can confirm that Claire Leitch, Iain Linton, Clare Maitland and Barry Douglas are four of the six trustees of the Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust, which provided leisure facilities at the Galleon Leisure Centre in Kilmarnock." The council later confirmed Mr Adams, who is also a trustee, will also appear. The spokeswoman added: 'The case is due to call in court as a pleading diet later this week in relation to a health and safety matter, which involves them in their capacity as trustees rather than as councillors. 'As this is a live matter that has not yet called in court, the council would confirm that out of respect and deference to the court process, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.' Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service did not respond to request for comment.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New Ikea click and collect lockers to be introduced at Tesco in Kilmarnock
Shoppers will be able to pick up a range of products from the lockers. New Ikea click and collect lockers are set to be introduced at a Tesco in Kilmarnock. The lockers will be based at the Tesco Extra West Shaw Street store where an existing clothes donation and recycling point is based. Shoppers will be able to order a range of products from the Scandinavian homeware and furniture firm, when the lockers are built in the car park. Ikea installed its first batch of UK lockers last year with the service now being rolled out across the country. Bosses had applied to East Ayrshire Council for permission to install the lockers and related illuminated signs, both of which were approved with conditions by planners. A report on the application reads: "The proposed lockers will measure 10.2 metres long, and 2.6 metres wide (3.37 metres inclusive of the roof overhang/canopy and signage. "The lockers will measure 2.24 metres high (3.12 metres high inclusive of the signage). They will be of aluminium construction and painted externally in a mixture of grey, yellow and blue. "The lockers will feature a user-interface touchscreen on the front elevation, and an integrated overhead canopy."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
'Eyesore' primary school in Cumnock is set to be demolished
Plans have been lodged to level the site after the school buildings were labelled surplus to requirements and an 'eyesore.' The former Greenmill Primary School in Cumnock's Barrhill Road is to be completely demolished, under new proposals. Ayrshire Live can reveal that plans have been lodged to level the site after the school buildings were labelled surplus to requirements and an 'eyesore.' Attempts were made to see if the community could take on the site, but its size proved problematic and plans to sell the site also proved fruitless. Now it appears that the entire site will be cleared after East Ayrshire Council announced proposals for its demolition. Agents in the proposals are Wylie Shanks Architects who said in a statement: 'East Ayrshire Council have no need for the school since it has been replaced by the Barony Campus in 2021. 'It has in the interim been used temporarily by another primary school. Given the building was surplus it has been offered to community groups however no community groups had a need for a building of that size. The site has been marketed for sale, yet no offers have been made over a reasonable period on the market. The site is noted in the Local Development Plan as being recommended for a residential development with the existing buildings reused. 'The building has been kept in use up until earlier this year, since then it appears repairs have been outpaced by vandalism. Efforts have been made to sell the building but this has not proved successful.' The agents also claim that the building, in its current structural condition, would require 'extensive refurbishment' in order to be brought back into use. And the works associated with this would be 'costly' and would 'not be commercially viable.' Their statement adds: 'It is our view that whilst the building could contribute somewhat positively to the townscape were it to be redeveloped, the vandalism that has already taken place is beginning to turn it into an eyesore which will quickly start to detract from the area. 'In the event of a fire the building could pose a serious risk to the public. 'Were the building to be demolished the site would be a more commercially attractive development opportunity that could return the site to residential use as supported in the Local Development Plan.' A decision on the demolition proposals is expected in due course. Greenmill Primary was last used as a temporary home for Netherthird Primary School before it moved to its new facility in February 2024. The building has been vacant since then and has suffered from vandalism, including broken windows, internal damage and attempted fires. Before becoming Greenmill Primary the site was home to Hillside House, built in 1846 it was a grand villa set in extensive gardens. Cumnock Public School would later be opened in 1847 at the other side of Barrhill Road, opposite Hillside House. Over the years as the number of students increased various extensions were added but the requirements of the school kept outgrowing the buildings. In 1909 after Margret Crichton, the owner of Hillside House died, the site was purchased by the School Board and the house was converted into an educational building. In 1926 an annex was opened, after which in 1927 it became Cumnock Academy. Another wing was added in 1939 at which time Hillside house was demolished. In 1969 Cumnock Academy moved to a newbuild school on Ayr Road and the building became Greenmill Primary School.
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
East Ayrshire Council announce "phased" plan for pavement parking enforcement
Motorists in East Ayrshire will no longer be able to park on most pavements from July after the council announced plans to begin enforcing the new law. East Ayrshire Council are set to begin enforcing new pavement parking restrictions from July. Motorists who park on pavements or dropped kerbs or are caught double parking will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Drivers caught parking on pavements will be liable to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Legislation introduced by the Scottish Government in 2019 introduced a ban on pavement parking and gave local authorities more power to enforce it. The goal behind the legislation is to ensure that pavements and roads are safer and more accessible to all as parking on pavements prevents people from walking safely down streets. Pavement parking can also prevent access to pavements for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies and it can cause damage which is expensive to repair. Double parking makes it more dangerous for vulnerable people or people pushing buggies or prams to cross the road safely as well as causing traffic congestion. Cllr Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire cabinet spokesperson for housing, transport and communities, said: 'We're hoping that by starting with a phased approach to the enforcement, we will give people some time to get used to the upcoming official enforcement measures. 'Every driver is responsible for parking their vehicle considerately and in a position that will not cause an obstruction to the pavement or road. 'We want to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or anyone pushing buggies who will no longer need to walk on the road. 'I'm looking forward to seeing our streets becoming safer and more accessible as a result of the new enforcement work.'
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Green light for extension plan at Ayrshire village community hub
Representatives of the hub previously lodged a planning application, seeking permission for the works. Plans to build a single storey extension at Ochiltree Community Hub in the village's Main Street have been approved. Representatives of the hub previously lodged a planning application, seeking permission for the works. It was proposed to build the extension onto the existing kitchen at the hub and plans also sought permission for 'associated internal alterations.' Agents in the planning proposals were Glasgow-based Anderson Bell Christie. The project has now been approved and it is hoped the extension will enhance the offering at the hub, which caters for a wide variety of community activities and helps tackle inequalities, social isolation and mental health issues. In approving the proposals, with conditions, East Ayrshire Council papers said: 'The proposed development is located at the rear side of Community Hub Centre, Ochiltree, and is an extension to the existing kitchen of the community hub centre. 'The principle of the proposed development is community wealth building which is found acceptable as the development would contribute to facilitate a community use building. 'The proposed extension is a small-scale development to the existing kitchen of the café of the Community hub centre. The design, scale, appearance of the proposed kitchen is appropriate to the existing building and preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.' The report adds: 'The nature and siting of the proposed extension would not generate any impacts on the privacy of other buildings located within the surrounding area of the site.'
