Freedom of Information
About South Ayrshire
Location
South Ayrshire is situated on Scotland's south-west coast just 56km from Glasgow.
With its stunning coastline and breathtaking views of the islands of Arran and Ailsa
Craig, South Ayrshire is renowned for the richness of its countryside and the unspoilt nature of its towns and villages. Indeed, in the Scottish Household Survey for 2001/02, South Ayrshire was rated in the top third of localities in which to reside in Scotland.
South Ayrshire has a population of 113,960 [1993], 90 per cent of whom live in thirteen
main settlements including Ayr,
Prestwick, Troon,
Maybole and Girvan. The remaining
10 per cent of the population live within the extensive rural area containing many
small, often remote villages.
The area is generally well served by road and rail connections, and the upgrading
of the A77 will reduce travel times to Glasgow and the central belt. The increasing
popularity of budget airlines and the demand for package holidays has delivered
a significant boost to the activity at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport.
This has more recently been complemented by the introduction of direct high-speed
ferry links between Troon and Belfast.
Economically, although rural in character, the area is fairly typical of Scotland
as a whole, but with a higher than average employment in the retail and hospitality
sector. This latter fact indicates the importance of tourism to the local economy;
an importance built on the natural beauty of the area and a rich historical and
cultural heritage. This is typified by such internationally renowned attractions
as Culzean Castle and Country Park and the Burns National Heritage Park along with
Championship golf courses at Turnberry and Royal Troon.
The Council
South Ayrshire Council comprises thirty Wards each served by an Elected Member.
Politically the Council is evenly divided between Labour and Conservative Councillors
(fifteen each), with Labour forming the current Administration. The Council operates
a committee system of political management. The principal committees include Policy
and Resources, Rural Communities, Planning, Economic and Tourism Development, Social
Justice, Lifelong Learning, Community Safety, and Council Commercial and Business
Services. Full details of these and other committees together with information on
their operation and administration can be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council/.
Functions
The corporate management of the Council is provided by four directors [one of whom
is the Depute Chief Executive], led by the Chief Executive, who is also Head of
the Council's Paid Service. The functions of the Chief Executive's Department include
Policy and Communication, Information and Communication Technology, Financial Services
and Human Resources. The Council's services are delivered through four service departments
and the Chief Executive's Department. The main service responsibilities are:
- Social Work, Housing and Health - Responsible for Social Work,
Social Justice, Community Care, Housing, Children's Services, Criminal Justice Social
Work, Housing and Partnerships with Health Services, Housing Providers and the independent
sector.
- Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning - Responsible for all
aspects of Education, including Quality and Service Development, Pre-five Services,
Primary, Secondary, Special and Nursery Schools, Community Education, Libraries,
Museums, Art Galleries, Culture and Lifelong Learning.
- Environment and Infrastructure - Responsible for Roads, Parks and
Waste Management, Economic and Business Development, Sport and Leisure, Tourism,
Property Maintenance and Catering Services.
- Development, Safety and Regulation - Responsible for Planning,
Building Standards, Licensing, Registration, Trading Standards, Sustainable Development,
Environmental Health, Cemeteries, Crematorium, Community Safety, Legal Services,
Committee Services and Community Councils.
- In addition, the Chief Executive's Department is responsible for
providing a range of multi-disciplinary skills to Elected Members, the Chief Executive
and Directors including Strategy, Policy Development, Communication and Research
facilities, Information Communication Technology, Human Resources and Financial
Services.
Further details on the Council's departments and responsibilities can be found at
www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council/structure.htm