COUNCIL bosses insist they remain committed to 'improving, enhancing and regenerating' communities across East Ayrshire - despite pulling the plug on plans to build a brand new school.

Councillors last week approved a 're-profiling' of the authority's capital investment programme over the next five years.

The local authority says it wants to put to rest some of the recent uncertainty surrounding the future of previously approved regeneration and development projects.  

The most notable change approved by members of East Ayrshire Council (EAC) was the scrapping of plans to build a new community campus in Dalmellington - after the local authority's cabinet heard that the anticipated cost of the project had soared to £60 million.

Instead, the existing Doon Academy buildings will be refurbished at a cost of £25m.

The council says work will begin early in 2025 - the same year when, under the original proposals, the new campus was to have been completed - following engagement with key stakeholders to finalise requirements. 

A further £13.5m has also been approved to modernise and refurbish the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock.

Councillors also gave the green light for a number of other ‘critical’ projects to continue as planned over the next two years, including construction works at Dunlop Early Childhood Centre and refurbishment of St Sophia’s Primary in Galston, Kilmaurs Primary, Stewarton Academy and its Galston office.

Money will also be confirmed for the completion of works at Merlin Park in Auchinleck, where new all-weather sporting facilities are to be provided to replace those at the current Auchinleck Leisure Centre, which the authority is intending to close.

Work at Kilmarnock's bus station will also be completed under the plans, the council says, while funding will also go towards finalising plans for an Ayrshire Innovation Park at Moorfield as part of Ayrshire Growth Deal, the marketing of a site in Dunlop Street in Kilmarnock for sale, and the demolition of Kilmarnock's multi-storey car park.

In recognition of the growing demand for services for children with additional support needs, councillors also approved immediate investment plans for Willowbank School, Onthank Primary and Lainshaw Primary.

A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council said: “These are challenging times and our financial position is undoubtedly the most difficult one yet, but we are still committed to doing the very best we can for our communities.

 “This revised capital programme prioritises where we need to focus our investments across our learning estate; wellbeing, leisure and culture projects; economic growth and local infrastructure, in the short, medium and longer term.  

“By refocusing our capital investments in this way we can be confident that we will be able to continue to deliver sustainable services for our communities – now and into the future.

“Our job is now to ensure that we obtain the absolute maximum value out of the funds that are available to us to see these projects through to completion and this will require innovation, creativity and above all else, an acceptance of change.

“This revised programme represents significant ongoing investment on the part of the council, but we will continue to explore additional funding opportunities to support these plans wherever possible.”