Let`s get our awards and then get out of here was the general feeling as they lined up to receive their well-deserved prizes. Let the holidays begin!
And it could be said there is a similar feeling in the County Buildings these days - without of course the prizes element! It has been a long, hard session since the budget and councillors are looking forward to the recess which begins after the full council meeting on July 9.
Though recess doesn`t mean we will not be working. It is simply that there are no formal meetings for a month. Ward business - and Maybole Community Council (the only one not to take a summer break) - go on as normal.
But before the break time we have been getting through a load of business - which takes us neatly back to schools.
Last week saw the publication of the long report on the state of South Ayrshire schools - and the council`s plans/hopes for their future bearing in mind we have no money and a lot of buildings need to be replaced or a have lot of work done on them! (Not strictly true - the Scottish governemnt is making available some £18 million for new schools in Scotland and we hope to get a fair share of that!)
However in the report North Carrick didn`t do too badly - a new school for Kirkmichael, modernisation for Straiton Primary - and a bold plan for Maybole.
The idea is to have an educational campus on the site of Carrick Academy which would mean the closing of the two primaries, Gardenrose and Cairn, but the provision of a super state-of the-art replacement at the new site.
Anyone who has visited any of the new primaries opened this past two years in other parts of South Ayrshire - like the most recent new Alloway Primary - will appreciate what fabulous facilities would be provided
A great idea? Not according to two Community Councillors (who shall be nameless) who saw this as "two more closures for Maybole"! Notwithstanding the fact that Cairn building is getting past its sell-by date and Gardenrose, though more modern, could be improved.
However there is a long way to go before any such changes take place. At this stage it is just a concept and a lot of consultation will take place before any decisions are taken.
YOU`D think with summer approaching things would start to wind down - not so in the Kirkoswald, Maidens and Turnberry Community Council area.
As I write this I am preparing for a CC meeting that could beat some record - suggestions have been made that sleeping bags could be needed!
Kirkoswald toilets were closed as part of budget cuts - and although a useful service, toilets are not a statutory obligation for councils. Earlier this year Straiton community bit the bullet and took ownership of their village toilets with the help of the council and Kirkoswald now have the opportunity to do likewise. Costley and Costley of Souter Johnnies` fame have prepared a plan for what I believe is a thatched public loo - but are looking for support from the villagers who will need to look after the toilets. And here there may be some resistence. There is still an attitude that this `should be done by the cooncil`! However we shall see.
There is the ongoing problem of the parents parking outside Maidens Primary and blocking residents` driveways and although it is the school holidays this will need to be resolved by the start of the new school term and still in Maidens there is the problem of recurring flooding at Shanter Road. Add to that the parking problems in the village thrown up because of the Open Golf Championship and the question of whether Maidens should have its own cemetery and it promises to be an interesting evening.
Will report back next month.