Any concerns that funding might not be available from South Ayrshire Council to support the popular Ayr Concert Series if it is staged out-with Ayr have been dispelled.

The series of concerts regularly staged in Ayr Town Hall are subsidised from a number of sources – including Ayr Common Good Fund.

As a consequence of the planned six month closure of Ayr Town Hall for major refurbishment, starting in October,  planning is under way to have the Ayr Concert Series staged elsewhere, possibly in the  Walker Halls, Troon.

In view of the need for a temporary move, legal clarification was sought at a meeting of the Council’s Policy and Resources Convener and Vice-Convener's Sub-Committee as to whether funding could still be provided from the Ayr Common Good Fund.

Explained Councillor Gibson T Macdonald, Leader of the Council, and Convener of the meeting: “We had to look into the matter to ensure that we were not breaching any condition relating to the Ayr Common Good Fund by continuing to subsidise the Ayr Concert Series if it temporarily moves out-with Ayr.   I am delighted to say we received a clear legal opinion that it was quite in order to continue the funding.”

The Sub-Committee approved the continuation of funding up to £27,000 in 2006/07 subject to final assessment of the full application.

The popular series of concerts earlier this year featured the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to funding from Ayr Common Good Fund, the series is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, through the Ayr Arts Guild, and is also subsidised by Enterprise Music Scotland.

May 2006