A BID from Glenafton Athletic FC for cash to help with the cost of pitch maintenance at Loch Park should be turned down, council officials have said.

The club’s application for £10,746 from the Afton Renewable Energy Fund (REF) will go before the grants committee at East Ayrshire Council this Wednesday, May 31.

A report for the committee meeting states: "Whilst the use of Loch Park as a community venue is very positive, annual pitch maintenance is a standard recurring running cost of all league football teams. 

“It is therefore not eligible for continued support from the Renewable Energy Fund. 

“Documentation on behalf of the club and the New Cumnock Sports Forum has been submitted to support this application and advise that pitch maintenance is needed to ensure continuation of community use of the playing surface.”

Cumnock Chronicle:

A separate application from New Cumnock Golf Club for £62,832 to buy a tractor and mower is also recommended for refusal.

A report on this application says: “Golf club activity is generally not supported by REF funding as the level of membership fees make it inaccessible to many members of the local community. 

“Although the applicant has been supported previously, this was specifically to open up the clubhouse for use by the wider New Cumnock community for meetings and community events. 

“This current application is seeking equipment to maintain the greens to directly benefit fee paying members.”

An application from the New Cumnock Development Trust to the same fund for £150,000 to support the refurbishment of the Trotters building is recommended for approval.

The full papers for the committee's meeting on Wednesday can be read online by clicking here.