Calls for community council to take over car park revenue

The car park monies are ringfenced for Largs projects, but community councillors have queried where the revenue raised is spent.

At a recent meeting, Andy Adair asked members what happens to the funds on an annual basis.

Mr Adair said: "Looking back over the past 20 years, the car park fund brings in tens of thousands of pounds of funding every year. 

"If these monies were coming in properly it could fund more projects in the town.

"It is not happening, and it is actually a cash cow for North Ayrshire Council, and that money is coming in every single day when cars park there, but none of that money is coming to the people of Largs.

"The only major projects it has funded in Largs are the kids skateboarding park and the swing park at Mackerston that I am aware of, so where has that money gone?"

Community councillor Andy Adair (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Ian Murdoch said that certain aspects were the case, but admitted that there are various issues of concern.

He pointed out that he has been working hard to get the car park working more efficiently with a new pay and display system having been installed in recent months.

Cllr Murdoch added that the original barrier system, which didn't work, had cost £60,000, and  he told the community council he believed that the seafront car park was losing tens of thousands of pounds every year because of its inefficiency, but is hopeful that the new system will be more effective.

"Removing the barrier and making it pay and display should hopefully make it more efficient and increase the income," said Cllr Murdoch.

"And I am very upset about this because I have said at umpteen meetings that we are not financing projects through the car park.

"The money is going to provide finance for the cleaning of the toilets, the maintenance of the car park, umpteen failed issues with the original barrier system, and the Viking Village funding.

Ian Murdoch says he has been working hard to make car park more efficient after 'squandering tens of thousands of pounds' (Image: Newsquest)

"But I agree that it needs to be tightened up and it needs to be more efficient and the money needs to be used for more within this town."

Chairman Jim Phillips said that the original system costing £60,000 was a 'waste of money', and Cllr Murdoch pointed out that he and other councillors have asked for an overall review of the seafront car park.

Mr Adair responded: "We have community councillors Robbie Stevenson and Wendy Low Thomson who have been working hard on local projects and there should be a perfectly good source of money coming from that seafront car park to help with local projects."

Public focus: Jamie Black has made call for car park revenue to be managed by Largs Community Council. (Image: Newsquest)

Community councillor Jamie Black said that there should be a community asset transfer of the Largs seafront car park fund to Largs Community Council who should then decide where the funds from the seafront car park go.

At present, the five North Coast councillors decide upon the spending of the car park revenue funds.

Mr Adair said: "It is a good idea as that money should be there to assist local people with projects in the town."

In the past, Largs had a town council which ran from the late 19th century to 1976,  with the town having its own Provost, treasurer, and various committees, which would decide upon on planning and where local taxpayers money would go. 

This was superseded when the town council system was broken up and replaced by Cunninghame District Council, and latterly, North Ayrshire Council.