East Ayrshire Council has said that its chief executive does not have the powers to grant village status, following a debate on Netherthird and District being named as one.
At the start of December, Netherthird and District Community Council (NDCC) said it had received "official confirmation from the chief executive of East Ayrshire Council" that Netherthird, Craigens and Skerrington would now be known as 'The Village of Netherthird and District'.
Earlier this week, some locals questioned the decision for it to be known as a village, with some claiming it should be a housing scheme, or even be known as a Hamlet.
This led to the NDCC attempting to clear up the situation.
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A community council spokesperson said: "The areas of Netherthird, Craigens and Skerrington were initially established as separate communities from the Burgh of Cumnock and Holmhead, becoming what was referred to as 'The Landward Community'.
"These communities, unlike Barshare, were never regarded as 'housing schemes', and were often excluded from events and other things happening in Cumnock.
"As the population grew, so did the need for a school, shops, community centre, a church and eventually, a community council."
They added: "And now, in the present day, the community of Netherthird, Craigens and Skerrington has a larger population than Bellsbank, Catrine, Dalmellington, Dalrymple, Dunlop, Fenwick, Logan, Lugar, Muirkirk, Ochiltree and Patna – all regarded as villages within East Ayrshire and all served by their own community council, just like us.
"The decision to officially be referred to as The Village of Netherthird and District (which includes Craigens and Skerrington) comes from constitute of having a community council to serve the community, and confirmation of the status of being a village by the chief executive of East Ayrshire Council.
"We are not trying to claim to be something that we are not, we’re just being something that we’ve always been."
However, East Ayrshire Council has said that its chief executive, Eddie Fraser, does not have the bestow village status, but added that information may point towards Netherthird already being known as a village.
A council spokesperson said: "East Ayrshire Council can confirm that the chief executive is not in a position to bestow official village status on Netherthird and District.
"An enquiry was received by the chief executive's office and information was provided, to the best of their knowledge, regarding a list of villages within East Ayrshire, which included Netherthird."
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