South Ayrshire Council - News - Burns National Heritage Park

BURNS NATIONAL HERITAGE PARK

South Ayrshire Council has taken a further step to safeguard the future of the Burns National Heritage Park (BNHP).

The Council's Policy and Resources Committee has asked senior officers of the Council to discuss with the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) arrangements for the transfer of Council assets at Alloway.

The Committee unanimously approved the move after receiving a report from the Council's Depute Chief Executive and Director of Development, Safety and Regulation. The members of the Committee were told that it is the view of the NTS that to enable them to take full responsibility for the future management and administration of the Heritage Park, they would require to have control of all of the proposed assets located within it. This includes those assets currently owned by the Council and Burns Monument Trustees, including the Auld Kirk and the Tam O'Shanter Experience. The BMT have indicated a willingness to transfer ownership of their assets to the NTS and necessary legal procedures, involving application to the Court of Session, are being initiated.

The Convener of the Committee, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Gibson T Macdonald said: "The Council has already confirmed its agreement to an extension of the current lease.

"The decision that has now been taken allows the Council to work with the NTS to safeguard the future of the park."

January 2006