South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council would like local residents to share their views with them on arts and culture issues at a series of open sessions on Monday 17 March 2008.

The arts and culture is a broad title that encompasses, amongst other things, performing arts, film, music, dance, visual arts, craft, literature and new media.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of the Council and Portfolio Carrier for Community Services said: “South Ayrshire is home to a wealth of talented people who contribute to the arts and culture in this area, in Scotland and beyond. We strongly support the further development of arts and culture in South Ayrshire, that already has a strong cultural foundation, with national icons such as Burns and buildings such as Culzean Castle. We need to build on what we have already achieved.

“I would encourage local residents to go along to the open sessions, that will be relaxed and informal, and give their views, we really want to know what you think. RGA, a management consultancy specialising in the arts, culture and leisure sectors, has been appointed by the Council to develop a strategy to address the needs of the local people and to develop a cultural plan for the future. By working together we can make a wide range of arts and cultural activities more readily available and nurture the talents that so many people in South Ayrshire have.”

The meetings will be held on Monday 17 March 2008 as follows:

10 am to 12 noon Council Chambers, Walker Halls Troon
2 pm to 4 pm Exhibition Room, Girvan Library
7 pm to 9 pm Council Chamber, Ayr Town Hall

Employees of RGA, a management consultancy specialising in the leisure, arts and culture sectors, will be there to hear the views of people who attend the meetings. Anyone who cannot attend the open meetings can still contribute by participating in an on-line survey.