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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Protesters march against cutbacks | Protesters march against cutbacks |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 1,500 people from South Ayrshire have marched through Ayr town centre to protest against council cuts. | |
| They are angry at the closure of Girvan swimming pool and the Gaiety Theatre, two sports barns and registrar's offices in Maybole and Troon. | They are angry at the closure of Girvan swimming pool and the Gaiety Theatre, two sports barns and registrar's offices in Maybole and Troon. |
| The minority Conservative-led council said it was spending £8.5m more in 2009/2010 than it did in the last financial year. | The minority Conservative-led council said it was spending £8.5m more in 2009/2010 than it did in the last financial year. |
| But it said it had to take tough decisions to balance its books. | But it said it had to take tough decisions to balance its books. |
| March organiser Alec Clark, chairman of Girvan Community Council said the turnout was a "fantastic response." | |
| Difficult decisions | |
| He said: "What has happened to the money that should have consistently been invested in communities over the years? | |
| "Are towns around South Ayrshire to crumble with lack of investment, with no pride in the town, with nothing to generate the economy?" | |
| Leader of South Ayrshire Council Hugh Hunter said the closure of Girvan swimming pool was because of health and safety risks, and was not part of this year's budget. | |
| He added: "In these very difficult economic times we, like other councils, have to make some very difficult decisions. | |
| "We have to do this in order to balance our budget so that we can continue to provide essential front line services to the people of South Ayrshire." |