Maybole is hostile to children’s unit plan

Mar 12 2010 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A TOWN said an overwhelming ‘no’ to a plan to six-bed residential children’s home.

Maybole people who turned out to a public meeting were virtually all opposed to the plan.

A police spokesman, answering a question, said there had been 139 call-outs in the past year to a current Coylton facility.

And among many negative comments in the town hall was one from a man who lived near the unit in Coylton, and who moved to Maybole to get away from it.

There was also criticism of South Ayrshire’s advance publicity – or lack of it – for the meeting.

And there were concerns that the consultation was merely a cosmetic exercise.

Tory Councillor Ann Galbraith admitted that at the moment she could not vote in favour of building such a unit in Maybole.

Independent Councillor Brian Connolly pointed to the unfairness of the Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton ward having two units.

There were also concerns about the suitability of the Queen’s Terrace site.

Maybole people also asked why the apparently dated unit at Coylton couldn’t be demolished and rebuilt on the same, established site.

Hugh Carswell, head of children’s services for South Ayrshire Council, attended the meeting.

He said the council wants to improve outcomes for young people. And too many are being placed in homes outside South Ayrshire.

The young people, aged 12 to 16, are mostly in care for their own safety, although some are there as a result of their behaviour.

The plan is to replace current facilities in Coylton and Ayr with three new six- bed residential units.

So far the council has identified two possible locations – Queen’s Terrace in Maybole and Dunlop Terrace in Ayr.

Mr Carswell said the Queen’s Terrace site is owned by the council, and the area has the infrastructure to support access to the rest of South Ayrshire, ensuring family links can be maintained.

He said if the unit was built, there would be 18 staff, and the facility would be staffed 24 hours a day.

After the meeting, he said: “We are keen to engage in a meaningful way with local people before recommendations are taken to elected members as to where these new ‘looked after’ accommodation facilities will be located.

“We believe in genuine partnership with our communities to progress our collective ‘corporate parenting’ responsibilities.”

There is to be a consultation about the proposed Dunlop Terrace site in Ayr in the Assembly Hall at the University of the West of Scotland on March 17 at 7pm. Further information can also be found at www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/consultations