South Ayrshire Council is planning for the future by looking at the route it needs to take to develop South Ayrshire over the next 10 to 15 years and has created a Vision Statement.

Every year Elected Members and Officers develop a Council Business Plan and in May 2006 it was decided that work needed to be undertaken to re-assess the future direction of the Council.  The changing demographics of South Ayrshire, such as the increasing numbers of people visiting the area, older people choosing to live here, changing lifestyles and birth rates means that the Council has to work proactively to capitalise on South Ayrshire’s strengths.  The Council works in partnerships with many other organisations, so it had to identify a clear set of priorities that would meet all their needs. 

During the winter months members of the Council’s Corporate Management Team (CMT) and Elected Members attended a series of workshops and exchanged views and ideas on ways to take South Ayrshire forward in the coming years.  At the final workshop of the series it was agreed that members of the CMT should develop a Vision Statement.

The Vision Statement, which has now been adopted on behalf of the Council by members of the Policy and Resources Committee, says:  “Our ambition is to establish South Ayrshire as the most dynamic, vibrant and sustainable community in Scotland.  To achieve this, we are working with partners and the community to provide services of the highest quality for everyone who lives in, works in or visits our historic and attractive area.”

The Vision Statement is a starting point and the detail behind the Vision, the links with planning processes and action planning will form part of the work being undertaken by the CMT and Heads of Service Group. 

The vision statement will be used to direct the planning, resourcing and review processes of the Council and will be shared with Community Planning partners.

A working group, Chaired by the Council’s Director of Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning will prepare a document for consideration by Elected Members. 

March 2007