Carrick – The best place to live, work, visit and play

Carrick Economic Development Strategy What is Carrick? Consultation and Research Vision, Priority Aims & Objectives Scope of the Strategy & Action Planning

Carrick Historic area – Robert the Bruce; Crossraguel, Castles, Covenanters, etc, etc Geography – 2 South Ayrshire Council Wards 20,700 people 18.5% of S A’s population, 60% of S A’s rural population, 14% of Ayrshire’s rural population Strengths and opportunities but also threats and weaknesses

Differences in age distribution of population in rural areas relative to rest of Scotland, 2006

Reasons for coming to Carrick

Consultation & Research SWOT Analysis Postal Survey Academies Individual Community Councils Local, Regional, National and International Policies and Strategies

STRENGTHS Environment, culture Airport links Community Windfarm developments WEAKNESSES Infrastructure, e.g. streetscape is run down Low aspirations of the communities Limited facilities – especially for children Lack of integrated transport

OPPORTUNITIES A range of projects currently ongoing within the Carrick area Tourism Airport links Funding & partnership working THREATS The Scottish Government agenda – ‘urban regeneration’ Youth leaving the area Windfarm developments Reduction in funding

Future development

VISION – THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE WORK VISIT AND PLAY Six “priority aims” Improving access to affordable housing Developing employment and wealth via tourism Improving enterprise, innovation and employment Developing active, engaged and involved communities Improving access to services and local facilities Tackling ‘out migration’ of young people

Sample Objectives HOUSING: Complete housing surveys in seven Community Council Areas to quantify: number and size of houses; ownership and occupancy patterns; planned development sites; potential development sites, including disused and derelict homes. TOURISM: Examine the potential for carbon reduction and renewable energy projects within Carrick – by mid 2009.

Sample Objectives ENTERPRISE: Explore ways in which local shops and businesses can co-operate to improve viability – by mid ENGAGED COMMUNITIES: Research how other communities identify and motivate community activists, to share the workload in community based projects and assist partners to produce an outline training and development programme – by end 2009.

Sample Objectives SERVICE PROVISION: Consult with local authorities, health board, third sector service providers and local communities to identify service delivery and access issues, and make recommendations to the CPP on improvements. YOUTH: Support South Ayrshire Council staff in the implementation of the South Ayrshire Youth Strategy – By promoting the formation of a Carrick Youth Forum and encouraging local youth to participate

Scope of the Strategy

Action Planning Individual Forum members “champion” each Priority Aim Discussions with Council departments and other partners Detailed plans for each aim: Need to further quantify issues? What exactly is to be done? By whom? What resources – funding, personnel, etc – are needed? What are the realistic targets and timescales?