The Scottish Government has been accused of trying to force through a gender reform law before Christmas to prevent the threat of the SNP Finance Secretary quitting.
20.11.2022 - 00:53 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Plans for Ayr Town Centre, including the controversial Riverside pavilion, have been praised by a Scottish Government minister.
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, delivered the opening remarks at the Scotland’s Towns Conference, held at Centrestage in Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
And, as well as offering a glowing review of the conference’s host authority, he said that he was impressed by the recently revealed public realm plans for the town.
Delegates from across Scotland travelled to Ayrshire to hear about some of the positive new approaches being taken to improve town centres, focusing on the needs of communities.
The MSP spoke about the work taking place in both East and South Ayrshire, and praised the Riverside gap site in Ayr town centre. That project has been criticised in some quarters, having been a compromise following on from the failure of South Ayrshire Council to deliver more ambitious plans for the site.
However, there was no mention of the most controversial aspect of the regeneration plans over the last few years, that of Ayr Leisure Centre.
He continued: “On a recent visit to Ayrshire, I witnessed the ambitious improvements to the travel infrastructure and public realm in Ayr town centre, as part of the town centre masterplan, seeing the progress made on the Riverside public events space and learning how it will be utilised by the community.”
Mr Arthur then lauded East Ayrshire Council, saying that the event had showcased the ‘great progress’ it was making alongside its partners.
“Here in Kilmarnock you may have noted the new Ayrshire College and improvements to the railway station. Faced with the Diageo closure, Kilmarnock invested in a town centre heritage scheme.”
Mr
The Scottish Government has been accused of trying to force through a gender reform law before Christmas to prevent the threat of the SNP Finance Secretary quitting.
Police Scotland have launched their city centre operation for Stirling, aimed at keeping shoppers, revellers and locals safe over Christmas and New Year.
There’s so much to enjoy at The Centre, Livingston, with over 150 of your favourite brands, eateries and fun ways to fill your day!
HSBC will close 114 of its UK branches from April of 2023 due to customers moving to internet banking following the pandemic.
A terminally ill Scots OAP was left without a washing machine and tumble dryer after signing up to a Scottish Government -funded scheme.
The new Whitburn Partnership Centre has opened, bringing a number of local services under one roof and has breathed new life into one of the town’s most prominent and historic buildings.
West Lothian Diabetes Scotland group has been announced as The Centre, Livingston’s charity partner for December.
A new £1 billion scheme to make middle-income homes more energy efficient is being launched by the UK Government along with a public information campaign advising people how to lower their gas and electricity usage.
A former SNP minister has branded the Scottish Government’s independence proposals “crap” as he called for a new approach for obtaining a referendum.
The UK Government is "scared" of allowing a second Scottish independence referendum because it knows it will lose, the SNP's depute leader has claimed.
Nicola Sturgeon has claimed the Scottish Government is doing "everything" they can to offer public sector workers a fair pay deal.
NHS staff have been offered a "final" improved pay offer by the Scottish Government following days of negotiations with trade unions.
Nicola Sturgeon has declared she will not "allow Scottish democracy to be a prisoner of Westminster" after the Supreme Court struck down her referendum plan.
Nicola Sturgeon's plan to hold an independence referendum next year has suffered a major set-back after judges ruled the Scottish Parliament does not have the required legal powers.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran has received approval from the Scottish Government on the Full Business Case (FBC) for the new national facility for young people at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine.
Doctor Who viewers were over the moon when the show's newest Doctor Ncuti Gatwa shared a snap of himself alongside Peter Capaldi.
Residents are starting to return home after a fire which sparked panic in Kilmarnock last night.
Thousands of pro-independence supporters are expected to gather at rallies across Scotland tomorrow after the Supreme Court issues its IndyRef2 verdict.
Thousands of wealthy Scots would pay more income tax under plans being seriously considered by the Government.
Police have arrested a man in connection with an incident near a shopping centre in Edinburgh. Officers were called to two streets close to the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre in Edinburgh at around 10.30am on Tuesday, November 15, amid reports a man was on the roof.