The three Ayrshire Councils have agreed to join forces in a bid to boost the local economy after ‘exciting proposals’ were rubberstamped.

The ‘ambitious and groundbreaking’ Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership will see the three local authorities combine resources and expertise when it is established in April 2019.

Elected members from North, South and East Ayrshire approved this new approach at meetings of their full Council this week.

The Ayrshire Economic Partnership will provide strong regional leadership aimed at putting Ayrshire on the map.

It will provide a determined and consistent voice ensuring that Ayrshire is leading in national debates and provide a powerful body to state the case for investment at a Scottish and UK level.

Key stakeholders including the national economic agencies will join the three Ayrshire Councils, businesses and the third sector to develop a unified vision for the area aimed at setting a bold approach to transforming the economy.

Staff from the councils and the other key partners will work together in a joint partnership to create new and innovative ways of working and bring fresh expertise and resources to the area.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this new approach.

“The Ayrshire economy has lagged behind for far too long now. It is unacceptable and we hope the Regional Partnership will enable us to move Ayrshire forward.

“We have worked really closely with our colleagues in East and South Ayrshire over a number of years now. All the work on the Ayrshire Growth Deal has cemented relations and put us in a strong position to hit the ground running with the Partnership.

“This is the economic vehicle which can drive our economy forward.”