South Ayrshire Council has agreed a further £1.6 million budget savings for 2016/17-2018/19 after seeking community views on specific proposals earlier in the year. The decision by Councillors means that almost £11 million of savings have now been identified for this three-year period, with a number of difficult decisions still to come – particularly with a significant reduction in the proposed funding allocation for 2016/17 from the Scottish Government. The Council had estimated a gap of more than £20 million between available funding and the costs to deliver Council services between 2016/17-2018/19, but this figure will now need to be revised in light of the Scottish Government's draft budget announced on 16 December. Councillor Bill McIntosh, Leader of the Council, said: "I was encouraged by the response from our communities to our proposals for balancing our budget, which was, overall, supportive – and my thanks to everyone who took the time to put forward their views. This was an important part of our efforts to do as much as possible with the monies available to us. However, the task of trying to deliver that balanced budget is now a lot more difficult with a significant reduction in both our revenue and capital funding for the next year. "This reduction means some very difficult decisions ahead for every one of our Councillors –decisions that will undoubtedly impact on our people and communities with possible closures and cuts in services. We're still digesting the details of our proposed funding, so we don't yet know what it will mean in practice, but we do know it will have an effect and it will not be easy." The budget savings agreed by South Ayrshire Council on 17 December 2015 following consideration of community views and feedback in proposals agreed in June 2015 are: £600,000 saving through making less use of nursing care and more use of residential care to reflect support required by older people. £500,000 saving through making best use of resources for unscheduled care for older people – the care that we don't yet know that they will need – and reducing hospital admissions. £150,000 saving by reducing centrally-held Curriculum for Excellence and Determined to Succeed budgets, which support the purchase of schools' materials for new courses that have been developed. £82,000 saving by increasing bereavement charges for burial and cremation. £60,000 saving by reducing school-based Curriculum for Excellence budgets. £40,000 saving by taking a more targeted approach to primary school swimming lessons. £30,000 saving by making less grant funding available to private owners through the Scheme of Assistance budget for improvement works in blocks where both Council tenants and private owner-occupiers live. £30,000 saving by increasing the swimming lesson fee, reducing class sizes and waiting lists, and introducing extra classes and unlimited free swimming for those taking part in a swimming lesson programme. £25,000 saving by sharing more Head Teachers in small schools. £25,000 savings by removing school transport provision from Maybole Road, Ayr to Alloway Primary, which is outwith the Council criteria for free school transport and brings it in line with all other schools. £20,000 saving by reviewing the Anti-Social Behaviour Team. £20,000 saving by introducing charges for pre-application planning advice. £20,000 saving by introducing small charge for administering school funds for excursions, events and fundraising activities.

THE Ayr cafe will open its doors to the needy and homeless or anyone who feels alone, on Christmas day, to give free soup, sandwich and tea or coffee. Cafe Fullarton, located on Fullarton Street next to Ayr bus station posted to Facebook on Saturday saying: "We are opening Christmas Day from 12pm until 2pm to offer a free soup and sandwich, tea and coffee, to the homeless the needy or just anyone feeling a little lonely and would like some company! Feel free to join us!!" Since posting the special message on Saturday, the status on Facebook has gone viral and reached out to thousands of people who are liking & sharing it, one commented: "This has reached Orlando, Florida I love the kindness and compassion which feeds the human spirit." Locals have even asked if the cafe would like anything donated. Another person said: "You are doing such a nice thing. I live over the border, but a friend of mine lives near you. I have sent her some money and she is going to buy you some bits and drop them off for me. I hope your guests have a nice time. You are special people." Ayrshire Daily News urges anyone who may be feeling alone or is homeless and needs somewhere and someone, to visit Cafe Fullarton on Christmas Day from 12pm until 2pm. Well done Cafe Fullarton from the Ayrshire Daily News, we hope everyone has a great Christmas. The Cafe also commented: "Thanks to Kevin and Bobby from Forum Fruit and Veg who are donating the vegetables for the free soup! They are outside in all weathers bringing great quality fruit and veg at best prices! Lovely guys!"

Alan Gray from Troon in Ayrshire raised £1.361 for Movember! He told ADN - "After being talked into doing Movember by colleagues for the first time this year I didn't really know what to expect. "I normally had a bit of stubble, but had never taken the next step to actually "growing" something on my face...I set myself a fairly achievable target of £250 and achieved this within about a week. Was it cheeky to set a new one for £500? It was for charity so why not! "After another 10 days or so I reached my £500 target, and for the next couple of days the sponsorship died off. I spoke to my mate Allan Cooper and he suggested I do something a little bit crazy to generate some interest. After a bit of discussion and a vote between my work colleagues it was decided that if I hit £750 I would shave half of my moustache off and have to walk around for the rest of the month looking like my tashe had slipped. Easy I thought, I'll never hit that. "Many donations and a cheeky wee whip round from the team at work and I was presented with an electric razor from a hunting pack shouting "off, off, off" like a hen party to a stripper. After this monstrosity was created I had to think of one final crazy stunt that would generate a bit of interest and get me to the £1000 milestone. Anyone that knows me will know that I am a die hard Ayr United fan. "Therefore wearing the strip of our local rivals for a day is the most humiliating thing I am likely to go through in my life. Yep, I agreed to it! "This created a bit of a stir with all those Kilmarnock fans that know me. All those years of banter about THAT Andy Walker penalty were finally coming back to haunt me!It didn't take long before this was achieved and during this time I was thrown one final challenge. If I dyed my halfatashe pink an anonymous donator would pledge £100. Let's face it is couldn't look much more daft than I was going to anyway so I accepted that challenge too! He also commented: "Thanks to everyone that supported me and if anyone else would like to donate they can do at http://mobro.co/alangray1910"

A THIEF who was posing as a plumber conned an elderly lady into thinking that he was at her house to fix a burst pipe from next door and that he needed access to her house to resolve the issue. The supposed plumber had conned his way into the elderly women's house in Tarbolton around 1PM yesterday afternoon (8th Dec 2015). Her son commented on Facebook: "He asked her to watch the kitchen taps to see if the water got discoloured, then stole two handbags with her buss pass, bank cards, and cash in them. "The good news is, her description of him matched other witnesses descriptions who seen him run down the road." It is believed that recently doors and windows have been tried in the Mossblown, Tarbolton and Annbank area. If you see or know of anything suspicious please call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Our advice is to lock all doors and windows at all times.

Chris Barron, 25, who is originally from California but moved to Scotland 14 years ago, was left slightly 'baffled' on his way home from Glasgow to Ayr as the X77 stagecoach bus pulled into the side of the M77 motorway and passengers were evacuated - because of him....BUT. Only to find out that his E-cigarette had caused a bit of a stir as a women and two young men she was with alerted the Stagecoach driver he had a 'bomb'. The driver of the bus then alerted the police after evacuating the bus. Police Scotland attended the scene at 8.35pm and had cordoned off the full motorway after being told the man had a 'bomb'. We spoke to Chris Barron who had the electronic cigarette, he told us he was replacing the wick of his E-cig while on his journey back home to Ayr from Glasgow. Passenger Calum McGregor said - "My partner and I became aware of the fellow passenger behaving suspiciously with a device in his lap. "I started looking for the toilet and saw he appeared to be attaching pipe-cleaner wire to a large oblong battery. "I alerted the driver of a possible bomb on board the bus and asked him to quietly pull over and call the police." It became apparent soon after Chris was searched by police and the road closure had taken place, that it was a false alarm and he was infact cleaning out his E-Cig. Chris Barron who had the E-Cig said on Facebook: "Just been standing on the side of the M77 motorway...was on the X77 bus travelling from Glasgow to Ayr with a full bus worth of passengers when we randomly pulled over...stood there for 45 minutes/hour...In the pis**** rain and gale force wind...And you'll never guess why! Because I was rewicking my vape...and somebody thought it was a bomb!" When the Police were asked by passengers why they took so long they responded "We had to close the entire motorway." The Police had confirmed they had responded to reports of a man "acting suspiciously" and confirmed it was a false alarm "in good faith."

Prestwick Light's switch on goes ahead 1 week after it was announced Ayr High Street's switch on was 'cancelled' by council bosses due to weather. The switch on organized and funded by the Prestwick Business Association and sponsored by local businesses of the town went ahead with a fantastic line up of entertainment to warm the public up for the big switch on. Entertainment from Angelstar, Chloe Barnes, Rubicon, Magic Malky, and more, brought a festive feeling to the town centre of Prestwick last week - while Santa was brought in by a Fire truck in emergency style and full escort by Police to get the brand new £10,000 Christmas lights switched ON! - Mission accomplished. Picture: Angelstar Band Picture: Angelstar Band Ayrshire Daily News covered the event live on our Facebook and Twitter pages. The switch on was hosted by West FM's Colin McCardle from the morning breakfast show. Also at the event was Funfair rides for adults and kids. One family commented: "It's ashame that Ayr High Streets lights switch on couldn't go ahead, but Prestwick's could, but saying that - i think it's helped the switch on today at Prestwick, it is absolutely mobbed!". The crowds were amazing at the event, have a look at our gallery of photos, including photos from Prestwick Business Association's Facebook page.

Former South Ayrshire provost has died aged 70. Winifred Sloan, Aged 70, died peacefully at her home where she was being cared for. South Ayrshire Council was established in 1996 with Councillor Sloan representing the Ayr East Ward. Provost Sloan was always active in the community, she never forgot the motto of South Ayrshire Council, “Never forget the People” when she was carrying out her day to day work. Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Cllr Bill McIntosh said: “We are all saddened to hear of Winifred’s passing, and our thoughts are with her family at this time. “Winifred was a tireless advocate for the people of her ward and also an outstanding ambassador for South Ayrshire. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered.” Mrs Sloan's funeral is to take place next Wednesday December 2 in a private ceremony for family. There is to be a Thanksgiving service at 3.45pm at St Leonard's Church on Monument Road in Ayr.

Ayr United football club has been threatened with legal action after being told that their badge breaks ancient heraldic law. The Football club are accused of breaking the law - which dates back to King Charles II, as their crest is deemed to be an unregistered coat of arms. The Scottish League One leaders’ badge is a shield with scroll bearing the team’s name along with a saltire - all of which fall foul of the ancient legislation. It is understood that the legal threat is the result of a complaint by a rival team’s fan to the ancient Court of Lord Lyon. Ayr United must now submit to the ancient Court of Lord Lyon to redraw their badge and face a fight to keep the saltire on the crest. Changes wouldn't come into place until 2017/18 because the club have now ordered the new seasons strips. Tracy McTrusty, the operations manager at the club, said: “We need to work under strict guidelines to make sure the badge is legal so we’re thinking we might need to slightly alter the shape of it or do a full redesign. “We’re trying to look at the positives for now. We can use this as an opportunity to rebrand ourselves and ask any fans who are good graphic designers to come up with a new logo. “It would cost £3,000 to register the crest as a coat of arms but we’re told it probably wouldn’t happen because it has a saltire on it and we’re not a national institution.”

Our video shows Refugee's who are housed in Adamton House Hotel in Ayrshire playing football on the grounds of the hotel here in Ayrshire. SCROLL FOR VIDEO... VIDEO:

THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED - PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS! Ayr United Football Club will be represented at this Sunday’s Christmas lights switch on in Ayr High Street - lighting up the all brand new lights that have been intalled by South Ayrshire Council. Club captain Nicky Devlin and rising star Alan Forrest will be answering questions on stage and helping turn on the town’s lights – and our mascot Pandamonium will also be there to get pictures taken throughout the afternoon. The event takes place between 4-6pm and the players are expected on stage shortly after 4pm. Commercial manager Graeme Miller said: “We’re thrilled to play a key role in this major event for the town and there is sure to be a big crowd in attendance. “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic start to the season and hopefully it’s going to be a very Merry Christmas for Ayr fans across the world. “We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the High Street on Sunday.” The switch on will see Pop Idol star Darius Campbell headlining the stage along with Sean C Kennedy, Three Card Trick and the Ayr Gaiety Panto. See more at www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk

Street Pastors are set to be on force this Christmas season in Ayr and Prestwick as they aim to keep Party Goers safe. The newly formes Street Pators will be working together with Ayrshire Police to make sure you are safe in both Ayr and Prestwick on Friday & Saturday nights. Training is underway for them as they will be working on making sure everyone get's home safely, and clearing up broken glass from the Town Centre's. They will be out for the first time on Saturday the 5th of December, they will set up a 'Safe Area' which they call The Inn, and it will be set up in the Holy Trinity church in Ayr. Ayr Inspector Craig Feroz said: “We are delighted to be involved in the fastest ever set up of a pastor scheme in Scotland. The Inn will have the council’s community safety staff, St Andrews Ambulance, the pastors and ourselves.This will be a safe festive zone where people can come to get assistance or maybe a cup of coffee to heat them up. It will operate every Saturday night in December.” Stay safe this Christmas.

A chinese in Troon named Golden City has joined in on the latest craze by adding the 'Chinese Munchy Box' to the menu. It's not just any Chinese munchy box, it's a LARGE one - all for the price of £12 and this gets you a variety of Chinese food all in the one box. 10 onion rings, 8 chicken balls, 6 ribs, 8 veg spring rolls, 8 large pieces of shredded chicken, fried rice, chips and any sauce of your choice......oh....and we cannot forget to mention the FREE can of juice. Just how easy is it to get to this amazing takeaway? well CLICK HERE on your mobile device or laptop and it will give you them all important directions. One comment on the takeaway's Facebook page says "Omg!!! We defo need these in London! Xx" We have spotted other Chinese takeaway's in Ayrshire clarifying that they won't be doing the Chinese Munchy Box.