The Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy Hill, and other Council representatives, have attended a public meeting held in Girvan to reassure people that SCOOP is alive and well, and operating from the Carrick Buildings in Girvan.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Andy Hill said: “A meeting was previously held with members of Girvan Community Council to discuss the relocation of SCOOP, and a public meeting was then held to reassure people that rumours circulating about the move were not true.

“Due to the outstanding success of SCOOP the Girvan Town House, which was never designed as a learning centre, could no longer physically accommodate the needs of students. That is why it has been relocated to a learning centre, where Ayr College South is also based, to create a convenient ‘one stop’ learning shop.

“I find it very strange that some people, who have always encouraged others to embrace new ideas, new technology, and new experiences, are complaining because SCOOP now has a base which provides outstanding facilities.

“SCOOP is not about a building, it is not about the Townhouse, it is not about individual people, it is bigger than that, it is about the local community, their needs and aspirations.

“There has been much talk about posts of SCOOP members of staff being deleted, and I would like to reassure everyone that this is not the case. It is normal practice when working arrangements are altered to take the opportunity to examine posts, and this led to the post of Learning Centre Manager being created with a significantly higher salary to reflect the responsibilities of the post.

“Acting in good faith hundreds of people signed a petition to save SCOOP, and I am truly happy that it is a reflection of the high regard in which SCOOP is held that so many people did this. However, let me assure everyone that SCOOP is alive and well and operating from the Carrick Buildings in Girvan.

“The Carrick Buildings houses a learning centre of excellence, and SCOOP has been incorporated into it as a direct result of its outstanding track record in providing employment access support and informal training.

“ Nowadays every organisation has budgetary constraints, and it makes economic sense to share buildings and equipment, and to establish harmonious mutually beneficial working partnerships.

“I hope that people will be inspired to continue their education and sign up for a range of courses available at the Carrick Buildings. SCOOP’s role is to promote access to training and employment, and if people then progress to undertake Ayr College courses then SCOOP will have achieved its goal.”

Anyone using facilities at the Carrick Buildings is required to register by signing in for health and safety reasons and, as the building provides services for school pupils and young people who must be protected, strict security measures must be maintained. There is also a requirement to record usage of computer equipment to prevent unauthorised or inappropriate use of the Internet facilities, and this is standard practice in educational establishments.

The computers located within the Carrick Buildings are of a higher specification, with more up to date software than those previously used by members of SCOOP, and are linked to the Internet through a national network which links other educational users with a high standard of IT support. Any SCOOP computers that are found to be surplus to requirements will be moved to other community venues and organisations located in the area.

July 2005