Rationale and decision making process behind the ban on "visitor" bookings at municipal golf courses
Dear South Ayrshire Council,
In November 2020 a decision was made by South Ayrshire Council to ban any visitor bookings to South Ayrshire municipal golf courses. The reason given is "due to government covid regulations".
I ask that you provide me with
1. The specific "government covid regulations" that this decision in based on
2. Any meeting notes, minutes or emails discussing this decision.
Yours faithfully,
Mr Holmes
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Dear Mr Holmes
Thank you for your information enquiry of the above reference number. Due to the nature of your request, it has been dealt with under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
I can confirm that Throughout the pandemic response, the Golf Service has followed guidance provided by Scottish Golf, published in partnership sportscotland and agreement of the Scottish Government, with the exception of the examples noted below.
On November 11, play on the courses was prioritised for Season Ticket Holders only as a result of reviewing tee time and course usage v availability of tee times. This was discussed during a conference call involving the Golf Service Management and Senior Council Management. The decision was communicated via the Golf South Ayrshire website on the same day.
On November 20, when the region entered Protection Level 4 and travel between local authorities was discouraged and subsequently put into law, the Senior Leadership Team responsible for coordinating the Council’s COVID response agreed that the suspension of all memberships held by non-South Ayrshire residents was the correct response to protect the health of residents within the region.
This was communicated to all members and communicated via the Golf South Ayrshire website and Council Website and Social Media Channels.
On December 12, when the region entered Protection Level 3, the Senior Leadership Team responsible for coordinating the Council’s COVID response agreed to continue the suspension of all memberships held by non-South Ayrshire residents was the correct response to protect the health of residents within the region. It was also agreed that Guest of Members, provided they resided within South Ayrshire could be permitted.
This was communicated to all members and communicated via the Golf South Ayrshire website and Council Website and Social Media Channels.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request you can ask for a review. A request for a review must be submitted within 40 working days and should be put in writing to Deborah McVey, Information Governance Team Leader, South Ayrshire Council, County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR, Tel: 01292 612223, Email: [South Ayrshire Council request email]. If you remain dissatisfied after a review, you have the right to apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision. This must be submitted within 6 months after the review and should be put in writing to the Scottish Information Commissioner at Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9DS, Tel: 01334 464610 Email: [email address] or use the online portal http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourR....
Yours sincerely
Susan Mitchell | Support Officer (Complaints & Information) |Information Governance | Chief Executive’s Office | [South Ayrshire Council request email] | | 01292 612223 | County Buildings | Wellington Square | AYR | KA7 1DR | www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk |
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