Council chiefs want say in piloting the airshow
Near £ 1m cash aid at stake
Plans to hand the Scottish Airshow almost £ 1million of public cash have spluttered, it can be revealed.
Council bosses are stalling on the signing of a new three- year funding deal.
It had been expected that an annual contract, worth £ 300,000, would be inked by officials.
But concerns around the running of the show – and the council’s lack of say in its organisation – have slowed the deal.
A council white paper seen by the Post calls for the air show’s management structure to be “reviewed” before any cash is signed over.
The document says: “The company would benefit from the expansion of its board, currently two directors, to bring in others with different/ complementary skillsets.”
It says such a move could “assist in taking the company to the next level.”
The paper also questions the event organisers for operating as a company limited by guarantee.
“Directors should consider if this is the most appropriate vehicle for an organisation of this nature and does it provide best opportunities to access potential funding,” it adds.
The show, which was set up by flight enthusiasts Doug Maclean and Danny Anderson in 2014, remains under their control. But council bosses, keen to strengthen their ties and keep the event in Ayr, now want a say on the flight deck.
Their support for the show has rocketed from just £ 25,000 in 2014 to £ 200,000 this year.
It comes as the event was projected to make a “small surplus” for 2017, following last year’s loss of £ 40,605.
Funding for next year’s event now hangs on an agreement being reached behind the scenes with show organisers.
One council source said: “Our commitment to the show has been underlined with a significant rise in funding each year.
“But handing over £ 900,000 between now and 2020 requires a certain level of scrutiny on our behalf.
“The public would expect that we ask these questions.”
Council enterprise chief, Jill Cronin, said: “All councillors agreed in principle to support the Scottish International Airshow for up to three years and to continue discussions with the event organisers with a view to considering a finalised funding package and proposals for the development of the Scottish International Airshow at Leadership Panel on November 28.”