Killie 1 Ayr 0

“Hi, I am looking for a Citizens’s Advice Scotland service to help with a welfare claim which I think I am entitled to?” “Sure - what is your local authority?” “It’s South Ayrshire.”

“I’m sorry, South Ayrshire doesn’t have a Citizens Advice Scotland service.” “Er . . so what do I know?”

“I’d try East Ayrshire Citizens Advice, that’s what everybody else is doing!” Surely not? Oh . . but very surely, yes! My sources tell me Kilmarnock CAB office has been“inundated”with

callers from the Citizens Advice Twilight Zone – aka South Ayrshire!

In April alone Kilmarnock managed to negotiate £250,000 for their South Ayrshire clients – mostly welfare benefits people didn’t know about.

I wonder how this news will be received by the redoubtable Fiona Lees – head of East Ayrshire Council.

East Ayrshire Council is the principle funder of East Ayrshire CAB. I imagine Ms Lees might have something to say about her resources being used to help those whose council tax goes to the coffers of a different authority.

I can also imagine someone with an employment dispute with SAC – the largest local employer – might feel more comfortable taking the issue up the A77.

The core issue here seems to be that SAC refuses to accept/believe/ understand the huge benefits to the most needy in a community of having a truly independent and recognised Citizens Advice Service.

Maybe a call from Kilmarnock’s London Road to Ayr’s County Buildings might help. Perhaps Ms Lees will be making one anyway!