Food waste bags
Did you know that rolls of food waste caddy bags are for sale at Forehill Library?
Save the trip into town and pop into the library instead.
DOG WORRYING (DISTURBING) SHEEP IS A CRIME
This letter is to bring to your attention an increase in the number of sheep worrying reports received in the Ayrshire area. As lambing time approaches, Police Scotland has taken the decision to contact your community to highlight the seriousness of this crime and the penalties it incurs.
Please click on the image to download the letter as a PDF
Forehill Library at 31-33 Mt Oliphant Crescent is a hive of activity!
Your local library is an ideal place to spend some time and is open to all ages 0-100! Why not check it out and try something new?
There are board games and jigsaws, a knit and natter group, a colouring book station and as colouring books are increasingly found to be a good source of therapy and relaxation- adults are catered for here too!
Tea and coffee is 50p a cup.
You can make use of the computers within the library, or you can take your own laptop and share the FREE wi-fi.
Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council is looking for suggestions for activities that you want to see at your local library.
Message us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHMCCAYR or email secretary@fhmcc.org.uk with your suggestions.
It's YOUR community so please get involved!
Home Security Advice from Police Scotland:
https://www.facebook.com/
AyrshirePoliceDivision
South Ayrshire 1000 - Citezens’ Panel
South Ayrshire Council with its partners in the public and voluntary sectors, wants to survey attitudes and views on public services and policy issues.
Citizens’ Panels are a way for local people to provide feedback on a range of issues and influence decision makers. The South Ayrshire Citizens’ Panel is called “South Ayrshire 1000” as it is the intention to have 1,000 members on the Panel. We have managed to recruit around 850 people who live in South Ayrshire who volunteered to http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/sa1000
The Scottish Government has recently set up a national website highlighting the role of community councils.
See the letter below.
www.communitycouncils.org.uk
GET INVOLVED — Your input is what will help our community come together.
We would love to hear from you. We want this website to be about you. Send us your pictures, share your memories, tell us your stories about our area and we will publish them on our webpages. Let us know if you, or someone you know in the area, is celebrating a special occasion.
Check our website and facebook pages for forthcoming competitions.
Come to our meetings. FHMCC meet on the last Tuesday of each month at 7pm in Kyle Academy and we extend a warm welcome to local residents.
Please email us seven days before the meeting with you agenda item
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FHMCCAYR
Email us at secretary@fhmcc.org.uk
Phone Us on 07935 169 749
Ward 4, Ayr East area map
Click picture to enlarge
Sunset over Glencairn Park taken on the 11th March 2014
Click picture to enlarge
Recent News
AYR TOWN CENTER REGENERATION – MAKE YOUR FEELINGS KNOWN
South Ayrshire Council are holding a meeting on 10th September to decide on the proposed changes to the lay-out of Burns Statue Square as part of the Ayr Town Centre Regeneration Project.
The proposals cover a re-configuration of the roads around the top of the town, including changing the access road to be front of the cinema, taking away the parking facilities there, and pedestrianising the area where the road currently sits. Plans also include the redevelopment of the former Hourston's building and the Arran Mall (already underway).
You can view some information on this by visiting this link which will take you to the SAC website - https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/council-news/Burns-Statue-Square---project-update
The proposals state that the changes will "transform Burns Statue Square into a vibrant, welcoming gateway to Ayr town centre".
While Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council agree wholeheartedly that major refurbishment for Ayr Town Centre is urgently required, it is our opinion that the town centre, ie, Alloway Street, High Street, Main Street and the Sandgate should be the immediate focus of any refurbishment plans and spend.
Visitors arriving in Ayr by train are greeted by the sight of a derelict train station/burned down hotel, must walk along an ugly fenced off pathway to Smith Street and onwards into a run-down, shabby town centre with little choice for shopping. It is difficult to see how a revamped Burns Statue Square will be enough to attract more footfall, shoppers or tourists, into the town centre.
If you agree with us that this redevelopment money should be used for the benefit of the shopping area in and around the High Street, please contact your local councillor with your concerns. Councillors for the FHMCC area are:-
Brian McGinley – Brian.McGinley@south-ayrshire.gov.uk - 07794 037562
Mary Kilpatrick – mary.kilpatrick@south-ayrshire.gov.uk - 01292 612693
Chris Cullen – chris.cullen@south-ayrshire.gov.uk - 07583 036 853
Burns Statue Square falls within the Fort, Seafield & Wallacetown area, and if you prefer, you can email that Community Council direct with your concerns/comments -secretary@fswcc.org.uk
However you wish to make your feelings known, please do so before 10th September.
Kind regards,
The Circuit Newsletter - your Summer update
Digital Survey for South Ayrshire Council
Please see the below information with regard to completing a Digital Survey for South Ayrshire Council’s Customer Services department. Your assistance with this is greatly appreciated if you are able to complete the survey. To note that a paper version of the survey will be available via our Libraries. Residents can also call 0300 123 0900 and the Customer Services Team will complete the survey on behalf of the caller.
Digital Survey
We have launched a digital survey to gain an insight into customers’ experience of interacting with the council digitally.
The survey seeks to gain an understanding of:
• how digitally confident residents are and, if not, whether they would like support to learn;
• if any residents are digitally excluded in terms of access to digital devices/ Wi-Fi;
• for those who are digitally confident, what type of digital transactions they currently make and would like to make in future with the council and;
• how they would rate digital interactions they have had with council services to date.
The survey is now open and will close on Tuesday 30 June.
The survey is available digitally at this link South Ayrshire Digital Survey – Fill out form
Masonhill/Doonfoot Bus Service.
Review of Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils
As you may be aware South Ayrshire Council is carrying out a review of the current Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils, and Guidance for Community Councils. Copy of both attached for reference.
Community Councils play an important role in local democracy by representing their communities where it matters most and helping to influence decisions.
We’re looking to hear from local residents; Community Councils; Community groups and organisations; or anyone who may be impacted directly or indirectly by any proposed changes.
The first 8 week consultation phase of the review is now available on our website here Your Area Your Voice Your Choice, or alternatively, paper copies will be available in all of our libraries. We would encourage as many Community Councillors to have an individual say as well as a joint Community Council response. Please also share on your websites, social media platforms, and also at your Community Council meetings to try to get as much engagement and responses as possible.
The closing date is Tuesday 16 May 2025.
NOTIFICATION OF CC ELECTIONS
Second SAC Consultation re licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues
Covering letter from SAC to FHMCC »
Information on licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues »
Online Voting Forms - Ayr South & Villages
Following on from our funding alert for the Participatory Budgeting (PB) funding, the sub-groups for each locality have decided on which groups will go through to the PB events to showcase their projects. Prior to the events, online voting will be available which will allow those who are unable to attend on the night of the event a chance to vote and have their say on how funding is spent within their communities.
Online voting is now open for the Ayr South & Villages Locality Planning Partnership locality and this will be available right up to the day of the event. The link to the voting form is noted below – you should only vote once. Attached is the poster which has the QR code that will also take you to the online voting form. If you are unable to access the form online, please contact Tracy Whiteford at tracy.whiteford@south-ayrshire.gov.uk who can send out a paper copy.
- Ayr South and Villages Online Voting Form - https://forms.office.com/e/WTJN4c6MEa
Information on PB Event is noted below:
- Ayr South & Villages PB Event – Monday 9th September from 5.30pm - 8pm at Kyle Academy, 20 Overmills Road, Ayr, KA7 3LR
Place Plan
Place Plan Info »
Right Care Right Place
SPT Consultation
Hourstons and Arran Mall Consultation
We would like to inform you that the consultation to the Hourstons and Arran Mall, Alloway Street, Ayr is live.
The links to both South Ayrshire Councils website and LMA Architects website to view the consultation is linked below -
https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/61636/Hourstons-and-Arran-Mall-Redevelopment
https://l-m-a.co.uk/hourstons-and-arran-mall-masterplan/
There is also a physical display of the consultation boards at the Grain Exchange, 77-81 High Street, Ayr.
We welcome any comments that you have regarding this proposal.
Scotish Fire Service, Public Consultation
Have your say.
https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations/shaping-our-future-service-your-say/
Petition on Brown Bin Charge
Sign the petition below.
https://chng.it/gSQDK7fNSK
LETTER TO SOUTH AYRSHIRE REGARDING COUNCIL BROWN BIN CHARGES
Big Bike Appeal
Community Asset Transfer
Election Notification
SP Networks, Storm Update
Read the update from SP Networks
Polling Place Review
The Council is currently undertaking a review of polling district and polling places. Full details can be found at the undernoted link:-
If commenting on the suitability of premises it would be helpful if you could provide details of better alternative polling places. Survey forms can be completed online or alternatively emailed or posted to:
Email: election@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Mail: Service Lead – Democratic Governance
South Ayrshire Council
Council Headquarters
County Buildings
Wellington Square
AYR
Our review period is open until 4pm on the 21 December 2023 and we would welcome any comments that you may have on the proposals.
Ayrshire Climate Action Hub
Lisa Busby (she/her)
Ayrshire Climate Action Network Coordinator
Scottish Communities Climate Action Network
E: lisa@sccan.scot
SPT Active Travel
It is with great sadness that FHMCC announces the loss of a previous, long serving Community Councillor.
Tom Houston of Forehill, Ayr, passed away peacefully on the 2nd August at Ayr Hospital. He was 83 years young.
Tom served selflessly on Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council from 2013 until the recent elections in March 2023 when he stood down to, in his words, “give someone else a chance”.
Tom was very community‑minded and rarely missed a meeting. He was always to the fore when help was needed with any of our projects. He spoke well on matters which concerned us all and was unfaltering in conveying his thoughts to the appropriate people. We missed his presence very much when he stood down.
FHMCC send sincere condolences and warmest thoughts to his wife, sons, daughter and grandchildren.
Sleep peacefully Tom.
Posted on behalf of Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council Chair and members.
LETTER TO THE AYRSHIRE POST, SOUTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL AND OUR LOCAL MP AND MSP
Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council are very dismayed, to put it mildly, to read about the possible closure of traffic lanes in and around Ayr Town Centre.
The claim that chasing car drivers and their passengers to shop in other towns by effectively cutting car access into Ayr Town will then result in 10,000 more people coming into the town centre is quite frankly astonishing and difficult to believe. We wonder in what universe decreasing car entry into town will increase the footfall in Ayr.
Accessible Ayr, can you explain how you reached that number and over how many years this will take to reach the magical 10,000?
Closing a large amount of arterial road into Ayr Town Centre will have a hugely negative effect on the footfall in Ayr. The single traffic lanes will be heavily congested (as is being proven with the current closure of lanes around the King Street roundabout) and will be hugely detrimental to the success of the remaining businesses, restaurants, and public houses in the town, and particularly now as the cost of living crisis continues to reduce profits.
It will create havoc when emergency vehicles attempt to create a path through the traffic, with potentially profound consequences for those awaiting the arrival of, eg, an ambulance or fire brigade.
And where will the benefit be to pedestrians, or indeed cyclists, who will all still have to negotiate even greater road congestion. This will only lead to frustration, upset and quite possibly an increase in injuries.
Overall this is not a well thought through decision by all of those involved.
With the coming of electric buses and cars traffic pollution must be on the decrease.
It is time to open up the town centre to traffic, allowing a flow in both directions. Let's encourage people into the town centre with a minimum of fuss using every means of transport available, and press for new businesses to take a chance on Ayr to help create a bustling town centre once more.
FHMCC call for South Ayrshire Council to arrange a public meeting, (not a consultation), to allow the Residents of Ayr to question Accessible Ayr, SAC Councillors and Council Officers, who have dreamed up this idea, and for them to adequately answer our concerns.
With regards,
The Chair and Committee Members,
Forehill, Holmston & Masonhill Community Council
POST OFFICE LIMITED – FOREHILL – KA7 3EN
We're writing to update you about the temporary closure of the above Post Office.
For further information please visit our Consultation Hub via the link below:
Consultation Hub - Forehill KA7 3EN
It would be helpful if you could share this link through your social media channels and with any local groups or organizations within the community to help our customers and your constituents understand what is happening.