SNP opposition accuse Tories of misleading public over key election manifesto pledges in South Ayrs

Scottish National Party leader Peter Henderson says the public statements by the administration on leisure centres and high flats do not tally with reality.

Council Leader Martin Dowey and Provost Iain Campbell pledged to save flats in the May election run-up.

South Ayrshire's Conservative administration has been accused of misleading the public about its vital manifesto pledges.

The Scottish National Party asked council leader Martin Dowey to explain when decisions were made on keeping Ayr's high flats, scrapping the new leisure centre, and giving £1,000,000 to each council ward.

Scottish National Party leader Peter Henderson argued that statements made to the press and community councils had led some of the public to believe that the likes of Conservatives' pledge to cancel the leisure centre had been conducted.

In a written question, Councillor Henderson asked: "There are procedures in standing orders relating to meetings for changes to Council policy and decisions. Please confirm when council decisions of the leisure centre and high flats being reported in the local press and said at public meetings were changed?"

Councillor Dowey responded: "There has been no change to the council decisions regarding the high flats or the leisure centre."

Scottish National Party Councillor Laura Brennan Whitefield asked: "It has been reported that the administration is proposing to give £1,000,000 to each council ward. Has a budget provision been made for this proposal in the revenue or capital budget?"

In a written response, Councillor Dowey stated: "An allocation of £1,000,000 per ward was included in the Conservative budget presented in March 2022. The Conservative budget was not approved."

Councillor Henderson responded to Dowey's answer: "It says here there has been no change to council decisions to the high flats and leisure.

"That is not what the public statements made in the press and community councils have said.

"Since this administration come into being, there has been no change in council decisions."

Councillor Brennan Whitefield followed up on Dowey's written response to the £1,000,000 ward allocation.

She said: "I thank the council leader for his response. I am slightly perplexed, Councillor Dowey. You know how the budget process works. Of course, you do.

"This £1,000,000 per ward has been in the public domain and announced at community councils.

"Do you have the money for this, or is it another promise you don't plan to keep?"

Councillor Peter Henderson has hit out plans to scrap the new Ayr leisure centre.

After the meeting, Councillor Henderson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The public pledges made since taking over the administration are incorrect and misleading for the public.

"As with all democratic decisions, the council must follow procedures, adhere to policies, and be open and transparent.

"To alter policy, the council as a body must vote by a majority to change this.

"It is not open for someone to announce deviation from budget or policy without first having it agreed at council by all members.

"The answers made it clear that despite publicly proclaimed changes in the press and at community groups, there are no changes.

"It is vital that elected officials keep integrity and truthfulness in promises made and do not give a false impression or false information.

"If the administration does not understand the procedures, then advice can and is given. Failure to clarify or obtain correct advice is incumbent on elected members before making public statements."