Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor

The article in the Ayrshire Post, dated July 4, regarding the visit to Cumnock by the First Minister and the ‘special effort’ clean-up, prompted the comment that “it should be clean and sparkling all the time.”

The report continued: “that was the view of Cumnock Community Council.”

Unfortunately, the article continued with comments from some members, describing that the town was a ‘dump’

This belies the efforts made over the last few years, not only by the community council, but also the various business interests in the town, in their efforts to ensure that the accolade of being “Green” town of the year was welldeserved.

There have been, as is the remit of the community council, numerous occasions when we have brought to the attention of East Ayrshire Council concerns raised by the residents of Cumnock with various issues for which the local authority has responsibility.

It is more out of frustration at the lack of response to the various issues raised, which prompts the reaction that the elected council appears to be leaving parts of the local urban areas less salubrious that the residents desire.

The comments that “street sweeping and cleaning is carried out on a daily basis within Cumnock town centre”, together with the “large-scale projects like the Spring deep clean” would imply that, if it done properly, there would not be the necessity to make “a special effort when the First Minister and her cabinet comes to town”.

It is to be regretted that “offthe-cuff” remarks are taken literally by those who should know what ‘hyperbole’ is, especially when matters are discussed and comments made whilst emotive subjects are under discussion.

The offer from Outdoor Services about improving Cumnock town centre is welcome news.

It is just unfortunate that the various “walkabouts” conducted by Cumnock Community Council over the last few years, listing and highlighting areas requiring attention, have, so far, received limited action to remedy and rectify our concerns

David Elliot, Correspondence Secretary, Cumnock Community Council