A festive message from Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader, East Ayrshire Council
As 2022 draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the year just past, with its many ups and downs.
The year began with a period of adjustment as we emerged from the recent pandemic. Life as we knew it previously would never be the same. And new challenges came our way in the course of the year including the war in Ukraine, rising fuel costs and now the cost of living crisis.
But throughout, our communities have remained strong, supportive and resilient – working together to look after each other in times of need. And in the midst of these challenges, we have witness real progress and positivity.
Our 2022 budget set out some ambitious plans for creating training and employment opportunities, with a £6m pledge to create 200 apprenticeship and training posts within the Council and our partner organisations. Already we’re starting to reap the rewards of this scheme with our recent intake of interns and apprenticeships across a range of services within the organisation, breathing fresh ideas and vitality into our every operations.
Our children and young people kept our net zero aspirations alive, with the inaugural Climate Change Awards taking place across our schools, and the third Young People’s Climate Change Conference, which served as a stark reminder of our collective roles and responsibilities to do all we can to protect our planet.
Our capital investment programme is still bearing the scars from the pandemic, with shortage of supplies and increased costs, but none the less I’m delighted that we were able to officially open the refurbished Loanhead Primary School in Kilmarnock; visit the children and young people of Crosshouse in their newly refurbished and extended school and complete new housing developments including Mill O’Shield Road in Drongan, Bellevue Gardens and Witch Road, Kilmarnock, and I’m very much looking forward to the completion of Netherthird Primary School in Cumnock in the early new year.
We were proud to welcome Scotland’s Town Partnership conference at Centrestage a few months ago and this meeting of minds confirmed what we already knew - that our town centres and the future of retail are changing. Only last week we approved a new strategic vision for Kilmarnock and we will work in earnest with our partners and local businesses to help realise that vision in the months ahead and to adopt a similar approach for other towns and villages across East Ayrshire.
Once again I’ve been inspired by the response of our employees and our communities as the impact of the cost of living crisis starts to take hold. As a Council, we’ve had to think outside the box to provide suitable supports for those in our communities who need it most, but our communities have matched us step for step - and thanks to them we now have over 60 warm spaces offering food, shelter and company for anyone in need of a warm cuppa and a friendly face during these difficult times.
From our magnificent care workers, to our health services, shop workers, delivery drivers, charity workers, and all our amazing volunteers, there are so many people, from all walks of life, who’ve gone the extra mile to help keep us going - we’ve been shown the best of humanity. Wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, I wish you a happy, peaceful and healthy festive season and best wishes for 2023.