East Ayrshire

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Coordinates: 55°30′N4°18′W / 55.5°N 4.3°W / 55.5; -4.3

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East Ayrshire
Aest Ayrshire
Siorrachd Àir an Ear
East Ayrshire in Scotland.svg
East Ayrshire arms.jpg
Coat of arms
East Ayrshire Council logo.svg
Council logo
Coordinates: 55°27′07″N4°15′52″W / 55.4518496°N 4.2644478°W / 55.4518496; -4.2644478
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country Scotland
Lieutenancy area Ayrshire and Arran
Admin HQLondon Road, Kilmarnock
Government
 • BodyEast Ayrshire Council
 • ProvostJim Todd
 •  MPs Alan Brown
Allan Dorans
 •  MSPs Willie Coffey
Elena Whitham
Area
 • Total487 sq mi (1,262 km2)
 • Rank Ranked 14th
Population
 (2021)
 • Total121,840
 • Rank Ranked 16th
 • Density250/sq mi (97/km2)
ONS code S12000008
ISO 3166 code GB-EAY
Website East Ayrshire Council

East Ayrshire (Scots : Aest Ayrshire; Scottish Gaelic : Siorrachd Àir an Ear) is one of thirty-two council areas of Scotland. It shares borders with Dumfries and Galloway, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. The headquarters of the council are located on London Road, Kilmarnock. [1] With South Ayrshire and the mainland areas of North Ayrshire, it formed the former county of Ayrshire.

East Ayrshire had a population of 122,100 at the 2011 census, making it the 16th most populous local authority in Scotland. [2] Spanning a geographical area of 1,262 km2 (487 sq mi), East Ayrshire is the 14th-largest local authority in Scotland in terms of geographical area. The majority of the population of East Ayrshire live within and surrounding the main town, Kilmarnock. Other large population areas in East Ayrshire include Cumnock, the second-largest town, and smaller towns and villages such as Stewarton, Darvel and Hurlford.

The largest school in Scotland, the Robert Burns Academy, is located in Cumnock. [3]

History

The Jougs in Kilmaurs in 1900, served as the council chamber for the Burgh of Kilmaurs The Jougs in Kilmaurs, East Ayrshire. 1900.jpg
The Jougs in Kilmaurs in 1900, served as the council chamber for the Burgh of Kilmaurs

East Ayrshire was created in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary council areas providing all local government services. East Ayrshire covered the combined area of the abolished Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Cumnock and Doon Valley districts, and also took over the functions of the abolished Strathclyde Regional Council within the area. [4] The area's name references its location within the historic county of Ayrshire, which had been abolished for local government purposes in 1975 when Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and Strathclyde region had been created. [5]

In May 1975, the county council was abolished and its functions were transferred to Strathclyde Regional Council. The county area was divided between four new districts within the two-tier Strathclyde region: Cumnock and Doon Valley, Cunninghame, Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Kyle and Carrick. The Cunninghame district included the Isle of Arran, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae, which had until then been administered as part of the County of Bute.

In April 1996 the two-tier system of regions and districts was abolished and Ayrshire was divided between the unitary council areas of East Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kilmarnock & Loudoun District and Cumnock & Doon Valley District), North Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Cunninghame District Council) and South Ayrshire (covering the area of the former Kyle and Carrick District). There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire.

The former Kilmarnock and Loudoun District Council was twinned with Sukhumi, Abkhazia. Following a review of such links in 2005, East Ayrshire continues the link as a friendship link. [6]

There are many early settlements within East Ayrshire. The Burns Monument Centre and Dick Institute (both in Kilmarnock) are notable museums and cultural venues.

In 2017, East Ayrshire Council was named as the UK Council of the Year. [7] In 2016, East Ayrshire Council was awarded and recognised for its recycling and resource management. [8]

Geography

Kilmarnock is the largest settlement in East Ayrshire with a population of over 46,000 and is home to the HQ for East Ayrshire Council Train Station Panorama.jpg
Kilmarnock is the largest settlement in East Ayrshire with a population of over 46,000 and is home to the HQ for East Ayrshire Council

Kilmarnock is the largest town, followed by Cumnock; other towns are New Cumnock and Stewarton.

Towns and villages

Cumnock is East Ayrshire's second-largest town Cumnock town centre, Scotland.jpg
Cumnock is East Ayrshire's second-largest town

Places of interest

Loch Doon in East Ayrshire, near to Carrick Ayrshire Loch Doon Aerial.jpg
Loch Doon in East Ayrshire, near to Carrick
Dumfries House located in Cumnock has developed itself as a major local tourist attraction Dumfries sca3.jpg
Dumfries House located in Cumnock has developed itself as a major local tourist attraction
Dean Castle, Kilmarnock Dean Castle Spring Foliage - panoramio.jpg
Dean Castle, Kilmarnock

Economy

Agriculture contributes a large part to East Ayrshire's economy Putting stripes on it. - geograph.org.uk - 434345.jpg
Agriculture contributes a large part to East Ayrshire's economy

Historically the economy of East Ayrshire was dependent on industries such as coal mining, textiles and general manufacturing which largely fell into decline in Scotland during the 1970s and 1980s. [9] Certain parts of East Ayrshire, particularly in the south of the region, such as Auchinleck, Bellsbank and Dalmellington have struggled to recover from the economic hardship caused by the decline and gradual closure of traditional industries, and are supported through various initiatives to try and rejuvenate their economies. [9]

Kilmarnock has seen a gradual decline in manufacturing performance in recent years. In 2009, Diageo, owner of whisky maker Johnnie Walker (which had been founded in Kilmarnock) announced the proposed closure of the bottling plant facility in Hill Street, and in 2012, Diageo closed the facility with the loss of 700 jobs. [10] In December 2015, Kilmarnock was awarded the title of Scotland's Most Improved Town due to efforts towards town regeneration and restoration. [11]

Food and drink as well as local tourism provides a large sum to the economy of East Ayrshire, with visitor attractions such as Dean Castle, Palace Theatre and Dumfries House generating large means of income for the area. [9] In rural communities of the authority, agriculture continues to be the leading sources of employment and economic productivity, particularly in the southern communities of the area. [9] The public sector is the largest employer within the area, with the council and NHS Ayrshire and Arran being significant employers. [9] Kilmarnock is home to the Halo Urban Generation (Kilmarnock) Ltd. company which was founded by Marie Macklin CBE, with a focus on providing opportunities for new businesses within the area, [12] and with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) revenue of £205 million to the Scottish economy, it supports 1,500 jobs within the area. [12]

Education

The new Ayrshire College campus opened in Kilmarnock in October 2016 Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock, 2018.jpg
The new Ayrshire College campus opened in Kilmarnock in October 2016

East Ayrshire has nine secondary schools, forty-three primary schools, four schools which cater for children with additional support needs, thirty-three early education childhood centres and three children's houses. [13]

Kilmarnock Academy is one of only two schools in the world to have educated two Nobel laureates: Alexander Fleming and John Boyd Orr. Both men attended Kilmarnock Academy when it was located on North Hamilton Street; the school has since relocated to Sutherland Drive. [14] [15]

The area's secondary schools include:

Kilmarnock is home to a campus of Ayrshire College, which provides a range of courses to adults as well as school-aged pupils. It is funded by East Ayrshire council and other educational providers. The campus opened in October 2016 in a new, £53 million, building on the site of the Johnnie Walker bottling plant. It superseded the Kilmarnock College building on Holehouse Road. [16]

Governance

East Ayrshire Council
Local government with limited devolved powers from the Scottish Parliament
East Ayrshire Council logo.svg
Type
Type
HousesExecutive Committee
Cabinet
Leadership
Douglas Reid,
SNP
since 17 May 2007 [17]
Jim Todd,
SNP
since 19 May 2022 [18]
Chief Executive
Eddie Fraser
since January 2021 [19]
Structure
Seats32
East Ayrshire Council 2017.svg
SNP
14 / 32
10 / 32
4 / 32
3 / 32
1 / 32
Elections
Single transferable vote
Last election
 5 May 2022
Next election
 May 2027
Meeting place
East Ayrshire Council Headquarters, Kilmarnock.jpg
Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 7BU
Website
www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk

The council has been under no overall control since 2007, with the Scottish National Party leading a variety of minority administrations since then. The next election is due in 2027. The council's civic head takes the title of provost. This is a largely ceremonial role, chairing council meetings and acting as the area's first citizen. Although an elected councillor, the provost is expected to be politically impartial. [18] Political leadership is provided by the leader of the council, who has been Douglas Reid of the SNP since 2007.

The council's chief executive is Eddie Fraser, who took on the role in January 2021. [20]

Political control

The first election to East Ayrshire Council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1996 has been as follows: [21]

Party in controlYears
Labour 1996–2007
No overall control 2007–

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1996 have been: [22]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
David Sneller Labour 1 Apr 19966 May 1999
Drew McIntyre Labour 13 May 1999May 2007
Douglas Reid SNP 17 May 2007

Elections

Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system, introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004. Election results since 1995 have been as follows: [21]

YearSeats SNP Labour Conservative Independent / Other Notes
1995 3082200Labour majority
1999 32141710New ward boundaries. [23] Labour majority
2003 3282310Labour majority
2007 32141431New ward boundaries. [24]
2012 32151421SNP / Conservative coalition
2017 3214962 [lower-alpha 1] New ward boundaries. [25] SNP minority administration
2022 32141044 [lower-alpha 2] SNP minority administration
  1. ↑ One being from The Rubbish Party
  2. ↑ One being from The Rubbish Party

Premises

The council's main offices are at Council Headquarters on London Road, Kilmarnock. The building was built as the James Hamilton School, which was designed by William Reid, the Ayrshire county architect, and opened in 1933. [26] The school relocated to a new site in 1977 and the buildings became the London Road Centre and were used for various purposes until they were converted to offices for East Ayrshire Council ahead of the new council's creation in 1996. [27] [28]

Wards

Map of 2017 election results East Ayrshire Council election 2017.svg
Map of 2017 election results

Since 2017 the area has divided into nine multi-member wards returning 32 members: [25] [29] [30] [31]

Wider politics

UK Parliament

ConstituencyMemberParty
Kilmarnock and Loudoun Alan Brown SNP
Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Allan Dorans SNP

Scottish Parliament

Constituency MSPs

ConstituencyMemberParty
Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley Willie Coffey SNP
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Elena Whitham SNP

Regional List MSPs

ConstituencyMemberParty
South Scotland Emma Harper Scottish National
Craig Hoy Conservative
Brian Whittle Conservative
Sharon Dowey Conservative
Carol Mochan Labour
Martin Whitfield Labour
Colin Smyth Labour

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayrshire</span> Historic county in Scotland

Ayrshire is a historic county and registration county in south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and it borders the counties of Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire to the north-east, Dumfriesshire to the south-east, and Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire to the south. Like many other counties of Scotland it currently has no administrative function, instead being sub-divided into the council areas of East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. It has a population of approximately 366,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumnock</span> Town and former civil parish in Scotland

Cumnock is a town and former civil parish located in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The town sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water. There are three neighbouring housing projects which lie just outside the town boundaries, Craigens, Logan and Netherthird, with the former ironworks settlement of Lugar also just outside the town, contributing to a population of around 13,000 in the immediate locale. A new housing development, Knockroon, was granted planning permission on 9 December 2009 by East Ayrshire Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cunninghame</span> Area of Scotland, comprising the northern part of Ayrshire

Cunninghame is a former comital district of Scotland and also a district of the Strathclyde Region from 1975 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayrshire and Arran</span>

Ayrshire and Arran is a lieutenancy area of Scotland. It consists of the council areas of East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. The area of Ayrshire and Arran is also a brand for tourist attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumnock and Doon Valley</span>

Cumnock and Doon Valley was one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmarnock and Loudoun (district)</span> Scottish district in East Ayrshire, Scotland, UK

Kilmarnock and Loudoun was one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle and Carrick</span>

Kyle and Carrick was one of nineteen local government districts in the Strathclyde region of Scotland from 1975 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmarnock and Loudoun (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Kilmarnock and Loudoun is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP), using the first-past-the-post voting system.

This is a list of people who served as Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983–2005

Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 until 2005. Half of the constituency was incorporated into the new Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock constituency, with the remainder incorporated into the new Central Ayrshire constituency and the expanded Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Scottish Parliament constituency)</span> Region or constituency of the Scottish Parliament

Kilmarnock and Loudoun was a constituency of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood). It elected one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the plurality method of election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency)</span> Region or constituency of the Scottish Parliament

Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) covering part of the council area of East Ayrshire. It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) by the plurality method of election. It is also one of nine constituencies in the South Scotland electoral region, which elects seven additional members, in addition to the nine constituency MSPs, to produce a form of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

The first elections to East Ayrshire Council were held on 6 April 1995, on the same day as the 28 other Scottish local government elections. The council was created from the former Cumnock and Doon Valley and Kilmarnock and Loudoun district councils and assumed some of the responsibilities of the former Strathclyde Regional Council following the implementation of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

Mauchline was one of 32 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1974, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

Dalmellington was one of 32 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1974, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

Auchinleck was one of 32 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1974, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before it was abolished in 1984. Following the local government reforms in the 1990s, the ward was reestablished in 1999 as part of East Ayrshire. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

Cumnock South and Old Cumnock was one of 30 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1984, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

Cumnock West and Auchinleck was one of 30 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1984, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

Catrine, Sorn and North Auchinleck was one of 30 electoral wards of East Ayrshire Council. Originally created in 1984, the ward was initially within Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council before the local government reforms in the 1990s. The ward elected one councillor using the first-past-the-post voting electoral system.

References

  1. ↑ "East Ayrshire Council Social Services , Council Headquarters, London Road, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire KA3 7BU".
  2. ↑ "Population Estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Scotland's biggest school will be finished tomorrow in East Ayrshire". 8 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1994 c. 39, retrieved 3 January 2023
  5. ↑ "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1973 c. 65, retrieved 29 December 2022
  6. ↑ "TOWN TWINNING UPDATE - Report by Depute Chief Executive/Executive Director of Corporate Support" (PDF). East Ayrshire Council. 5 September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "East Ayrshire named UK Council of the Year 2017 - East Ayrshire Council News". www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "National Recycling Awards 2016 - East Ayrshire Council News". www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "East Ayrshire's Economic Development Strategy 2014/2025" (PDF). East Ayrshire Council.
  10. ↑ "Johnnie Walker leaves Kilmarnock". BBC News.
  11. ↑ Alderson, Reevel (10 December 2015). "Kilmarnock scoops regeneration award". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  12. 1 2 "HALO Kilmarnock, Scotland | Urban Renewal Project | HALO Scotland Urban Regeneration".
  13. ↑ "Educational and Social Services - East Ayrshire Council". Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "kilmarnockacademy.co.uk". kilmarnockacademy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  15. ↑ "Kilmarnock Academy: Former pupils" (PDF). Kilmarnock History. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "First Minister opens £53 million Ayrshire College Kilmarnock campus".
  17. ↑ "Council minutes, 17 May 2007" (PDF). East Ayrshire Council. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  18. 1 2 "Provost and Depute Provost". East Ayrshire Council. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  19. ↑ Behan, Paul (22 January 2021). "East Ayrshire Council's new chief executive aims to help those hit hardest by Covid pandemic". Daily Record.
  20. ↑ "Eddie Fraser appointed as new Chief Executive - East Ayrshire Council News". 30 November 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "Council minutes". East Ayrshire Council. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "The East Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1998/3246, retrieved 3 January 2023
  24. ↑ Scottish Parliament. The East Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 as made, from legislation.gov.uk .
  25. 1 2 Scottish Parliament. The East Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 as made, from legislation.gov.uk .
  26. ↑ "Official Opening of James Hamilton Central School". Kilmarnock Herald. 23 February 1933. p. 3. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "London Road School". Directory of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "Contact East Ayrshire Council". Irvine Herald. 29 March 1996. p. 37. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "United Kingdom: Scotland | Council Areas and Electoral Wards". City Population. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  30. ↑ 5th Reviews of Electoral Arrangements Maps, Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland
  31. ↑ Council Area: East Ayrshire, Scottish Government Statistics
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