That’sDemocracy great game alive during this dreadful pandemic. ConsultProperly

Dear Sir, In the absence of any reply from your frequent correspondent, Mr. John Dunlop to my letter of the 2nd of December, about the “Mysterious” S. A. C. £ 1 Million, Mr. Andrew Russell kindly appears to have taken the issue on board ( Letters 30th. Dec. )

I thank him for his explanation of how South Ayrshire Council currently offers a Consumer’s advice service. Mr. Russell, just like others, is entitled to his opinion as to whether this is the most efficient way to offer help with consumer, benefit or legal advice- but it is just his opinion.

At the end of the day, it is up to the Elected Members who form any administration, in any Council Area, to decide how to implement or deliver services in the most cost effective and efficient way. It’s called Democracy, which as we know is not perfect, but is better than other alternatives.

If Mr. Russell believes he would be best served by any future Conservative run Council in implementing a Citizens Advice Service, then that is his prerogative. But come the S. A. C Election in May 2022, there will be many other issues to pontificate over by then, not just the establishment of a C. A. B. Perhaps this would be an opportunity for Mr Russell or Mr. John Dunlop to state their case and subject themselves to public scrutiny, by standing for Election to South Ayrshire Council.

Yours sincerely,

Alec Oattes, Lindston Place, Ayr

A lot of them are playing only for little more than expenses so deserve every credit for striving on while other clubs have shut up shop for the season.

No Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock, Glenafton, Kilbirnie or Pollok means it is a very strange looking West of Scotland Premier League for 20/ 21.

At least there is a prize to play for in the top flight with the champions going into a play- off for a place in the Lowland League next season.

So the likes of Troon, Irvine Meadow, Darvel, Kilwinning, Hurlford, Beith and Largs have something to aim for.

What I find hard to understand, however, is that there is no such reward for the winners of the three Conferences below the Premier with no promotion or relegation in these competitions.

That is particularly sore for Annbank United who are flying high at the top of Conference ‘ A’ and are on their best winning run for years under Matt Maley.

Surely they and other clubs such as Craigmark, Maybole and Muirkirk, are entitled to have a reward to aim for, otherwise all their efforts for the season will be meaningless.

Players of these clubs should be commended for playing in all weathers with no access to changing facilities.

Let’s hope the promised vaccines do the job and normal service can resume sooner rather than later.

Name and address supplied

Dear Editor, on reading my Post on the 23rd December Bob Shields page I read the the piece on the recent rent consultation by South Ayrshire Council between Bob and a gentleman .

And something struck me- all council tenants were consulted on the annual rent increase presented with three option 1.5%, 1.75% and 2%. They were then asked if they would be in favour of raising the rents for all sheltered housing in a yes/ no question.

So we have some 8000 plus tenants being consulted on a rent rise for themselves and the 538 sheltered houses rewind the clock by about a year. So why were only 234 or near enough tenants consulted on the future of the High Flats? Surely if you ask all tenants to comment on an annual rent rise and higher rents for sheltered housing, then by that benchmark all tenants should have been consulted on the future of the High Flats?

Ian Stewart by email