Council urged to buy house

A rallying call has been made for South Ayrshire Council to step in and buy threatened Malcolm Sargent House.

Backers want the Prestwick base to be handed over to the community so it can continue operating.

Chief Executive Eileen Howat is to write to Clic Sargent urging the charity to reconsider shutting.

Former MSP Chic Brodie said: “The council could use reserves to buy the house until an independent organisation is set up to run it.”

He wants to buy more time for an alternative solution other than closure to be found and has put forward a business case.

Ayr mum Siobhian Brown, 44, has set up a fresh petition backing pleas for the council to step in.

Originally the seaside house was owned by the community before being acquired by the charity.

Campaigners have been flooded with support and goodwill.

But they want to let people know that there is no guaranteed that money donated to Clic Sargent will go directly to the house.

Councillor across all political divides are united in protest against the threat.

Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter ( Conservative) put forward a motion at last week’s full council meeting asking for South Ayrshire to contact Clic Sargent.

Local SNP leader Allan Dorans also drafted a similar motion.

To sign the petition visit http:// chn. ge/ 29xLLOE.