SALTCOATS residents are hoping to get local people involved to be part of a new community council.

The town has not had its own community council for years, but local residents Allan Rice and Gary Parker are hoping that members of the community will step forward to be ‘the voice of the people’.

Allan told the Herald: “We would encourage and inspire others to join together for the sole good of the the local community. 

“Every member of the community has a moral obligation to each other and their families. This can incorporate such things as helping keep the area tidy to keeping the area safe.

“In today’s world this has to take us back to memorable days when neighbours looked out for not only family but each other. People need to lead by example and be encouraged by empowerment and act responsibly. 

“Morality is part of growing up and, like most residents, I have seen the local and surrounding area go into serious decline.

“With local residents’ knowledge and understanding, a proactive community council can work together and turn it around to help with the regeneration.”

Gary added: “It does have to be the people who run the community council. We want it to be the voice of the people. One thing you’re really, really conscious of is to keep it non-political. We want a good cross-section of the community to come along – old and young.

 “We want to really involve members of the community and try and push things through after hearing what Saltcoats want.”