MOST IMPROVED LARGE TOWN IN SCOTLAND

That this House congratulates Kilmarnock in winning the SURF award for being Scotland's most improved large town while commending the town of Irvine for being runner up; pays tribute to the work of the SNP-led East Ayrshire Councils for leading in the regeneration work; applauds particularly the restoration of the derelict Opera House listed building, ignored by previous councils; welcomes the re-landscaped Bank Street assisting in attracting businesses; recognises the partnership work with the Town Centre Retailers Association, the Kilmarnock Station Railways Heritage Trust and the CVO; further welcomes the town centre council house development schemes at Portland Street, West Langlands Street and Rennie Street and East Ayrshire Council's office strategy to ensure as many people access the town centre on a regular basis; notes that funding from the Scottish Government has allowed the CARS scheme to award grants to many town centre premises, preserving their future; and welcomes the improvements to the station clock, the railway viaduct, Palace Theatre and other capital investment schemes by East Ayrshire Council which has demonstrated that responsible long-term capital borrowing allows sensible infrastructure development and supports jobs.