NEW Cumnock outdoor swimming pool is set to get an extra cash boost.

East Ayrshire Council (EAC) has given the thumbs up to an additional £100,000 of funding towards the redevelopment at the towns swimming pool at a Cabinet meeting last week.

As part of the UK Government’s March 2016 Budget, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £150,000 to support local regeneration projects in New Cumnock.

This funding was included in the Scottish Government’s block grant and allocated to the council as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

In November last year, as part of the East Ayrshire Performs report, cabinet approved the transfer of up to £50,000 to Dumfries House Trust for essential equipment for New Cumnock Town Hall which reopened in October.

Dumfries House Trust has now requested that the remaining £100,000 be released to contribute towards the costs of the refurbishment of the outdoor swimming pool, including the purchase of equipment and for the fit out of the changing facilities and catering areas.

The Trust’s proposals for the utilisation of the remaining funds have been considered by the New Cumnock Community Council, the New Cumnock Community Action Plan Steering Group, and the Improving New Cumnock Group, and all are supportive of the proposals.

Deputy Chief Executive, Chris McAleavy said before cabinet: "Mindful of questions and concerns that have been expressed by members of the floor, I took the opportunity to attend the last meeting of the community council and also had the opportunity to have a member of Dumfries House Trust present who was able to give the people in the room an update on all of the various works presently being undertaken in New Cumnock but also to set out the reason behind this request for the release of the funds.

"It was a good, frank, open discussion with members of the community council in the room and other community representatives from other groups."

Depute Leader of the Council, Tom Cook added: "The key thing is that the local community are supportive of what we are doing."

The proposals to release the additional funds towards the pool were approved.