The Rotary Clubs and Ayrshire Coastal Path are hosting their annual big beach clean on the morning of Saturday, April 13, 2024.

This provides an opportunity for the community to give back to the wonderful scenery our beaches provide. If you would like to volunteer head to the assembly points stated on their website or contact the named Team Leader for advice.

Further information can be found here: https://shorturl.at/ginCF

Volunteers will be provided with bags but are asked if possible if they could bring their own litter pickers as these will be in short supply. It is also advised volunteers wear suitable clothing such as stout shoes/boots and gloves.

Throughout my time as a councillor, then as MSP for Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon, I have always been proud of the beauty of our beaches, but also disheartened at times at the lack of civic pride and the litter that is left on our coastline.

Late last year, SEPA released a report that published 98 per cent of Scotland’s bathing waters met or surpassed the watchdog's “sufficient” classification.

The beaches at Prestwick and Troon both ranked “excellent” and Ayr South, Barassie Bay and Heads of Ayr classified as “good”. This is great news, although, this was not always the case.

In 2017 water quality at Ayr Beach South had faced its fourth consecutive year with “poor” water quality. This was an issue I felt strongly about in my time as councillor and I campaigned for improvements to be made.

In 2020, a collaborative effort between, South Ayrshire Council, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Water, SEPA and the Scottish Government saw an investment of £10m from Scottish Water which increased storm storage capacity locally.

This led to remarkable improvements. From 2021, Ayrshire beaches and the water quality has improved significantly.

New Voter ID Requirements

As we await the current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to announce a date for the General Election is it important that the public know that new voter ID requirements have been put in place by the UK Government for future general elections.

Voters in Scotland will now be required to show Voter ID at polling stations when casting their vote in the general election. This ID can vary from your passport to your driving licence.

To get photo ID, you can apply for a free document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Further information can be found here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id.

Please be aware that the Scottish Government will not be introducing voter ID for Scottish Parliament elections or council elections.