Ayrshire Post

Council set to pay fine to nightclub

- Stuart Wilson

Red- faced council chiefs have been forced to cough up to the bosses of Ayr’s busiest nightclub.

Management at Furys in Nile Court have also won an official apology after lodging a complaint against the local authority.

It follows a row over the cost of work to bolster soundproof­ing at the club’s premises.

A confidenti­al report seen by the Post has also threatened to refer South Ayrshire bosses to the Scottish Government over their handling of the case.

Scotland’s Public Services Ombudsman added it “would be appropriat­e for the council to review complaints handling, particular­ly in relation to any recommenda­tions proposed by the SPSO”.

Interest of £ 8180.79 on top of an earlier payment will now be paid by the council to Sprig Ltd, owners of Furys.

A document agreed by councillor­s also rubber stamped “an apology for the delay and distress caused”.

Club bosses were forced to soundproof their building after the erection of flats at nearby Blackfriar­s Court.

But a wrangle then ensued over cost liability and the council’s handling of the subsequent complaint.

The secret paper said: “It is proposed than an apology be issued in the following terms: ‘ South Ayrshire Council acknowledg­es that the due dilligence process took longer than would have been desirable and apologises for any delay and distress caused.

“A review wi l l b e u n d e r t a k e n o n t h e complaints handling process in respect of recommenda­tions by the SPSO.’”

Council chief executive E i l e e n Howat s a i d : “We have been actively working over the last two years to implement the recommenda­tions of a complaint that was upheld by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman ( SPSO) in February 2015, which has required a significan­t amount of work.

“At the council meeting on October 5, councillor­s unanimousl­y agreed to approve a further payment and issue an apology to the complainan­t, which we have done.

“T h i s m e a n s w e h a v e f u l f i l l e d t h e recommenda­tions from the SPSO.

“As all councillor­s agreed that the report on this matter should remain confidenti­al in line with the Local Government ( Scotland) Act 1973, we cannot comment further.”

 ??  ?? Apologies Council chief Eileen Howat
Apologies Council chief Eileen Howat
 ??  ?? Paying up Council got it wrong at Furys
Paying up Council got it wrong at Furys

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