An independent candidate for Kilmarnock has called for more rigorous debate and an end to ‘cosy’ relations between councillors and officials.
Graham Boyd, a former secondary school teacher and teaching representative on East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet, said he wanted far more debate and scrutiny at council meetings.
Despite having far fewer resources as an independent candidate, he said that it was worth it to ensure that he could speak his mind.
Mr Boyd, who is also a respected historian, said a team of seven or eight people volunteered to help deliver around 7,000 leaflets across Kilmarnock East and Hurlford.
And while the odds aren’t normally in an independent candidate’s favour, he says he is not standing for the sake of it.
He said that the deterioration of buildings in the town centre, including lighting features, had provided impetus to stand.
Mr Boyd said: “This may not seem important in the grand scheme, but to me small things are!
“It is indicative of slackness and a ‘could not care less’ attitude. I then began to think how much is this costing us?”
A Freedom of Information request, he said, had revealed a bill of more than £325,000 for lighting at John Dickie Street Civic Centre, the Palace Theatre and Bank Street.
“None have worked properly for years,” he said ahead of the poll next Thursday, May 5. “Add £313,000 on the clock at the top of John Finnie Street which does not light and is often stuck at the wrong time.
“Folk are getting quite annoyed at the money being wasted.”
He continued: “The town centre is struggling, on Portland Street and above the Mall, large offices will soon be empty as a major employer departs to relocate to the former Diageo site.
“Litter is a major blight, and many volunteer groups have been formed to tackle the problem. Our small group has filled 70 large bags in recent months.”
The other candidates standing in Kilmarnock East and Hurlford are as follows: Graham Barton (SNP), Barry Douglas (LAB), Trevor Grant (LD), Jon Herd (CON) and Neal Ingram (SNP).
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