RESIDENTS of Girvan are standing together to stop South Ayrshire Council charging utility bills for various village halls and Girvan Community Centre.

At least 500 people have signed a petition to prevent this with three of the campaigners presenting their case to the Public Process Panel this Thursday, September 29.

The petition states: "Girvan community centre alongside six other community centres in the Girvan and South Carrick area face closure as South Ayrshire Council have passed unaffordable utility bills on to user groups of these facilities.

"We must stand together and say no to these unnecessary cuts. Girvan Community Centre has been asked for £7500 to cover utility bills this year, this came with three days notice and in the knowledge that the centre only made £1700 profit last year.

"The users of the facility are not for profit organisations. The utility bill will force the centre to close and will see 6 children's groups including a local playgroup shut their doors.

"Girvan Play Group is the last remaining playgroup in South Ayrshire and provides much needed affordable childcare for local communities.

"The care and activities are second to none with local nursery teachers being able to identify which children have benefited from attending the play group.

"Closure would also leave a number of adult groups helping vulnerable people and the national blood bank without affordable accommodation."

The group have the full support of Girvan and South Carrick from councillor Alec Oattes.

He said: "I do not know what will happen but we have made a good case. Three local ladies will put up a good fight. The council definitely want to introduce these utility charges but there has been no discussion with the community until after the it was announced.

"They want to charge £8000 to various organisations and they just can't afford it."