Provosts Report
North Ayrshire Council · 25 June 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 25 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 5 May – 15 June 2025 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Provost of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Anthea Dickson.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 1 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 5 May – 15 June 2025 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: VE Day80 Events, throughout North Ayrshire, 8 May On 8 May, communities came together throughout North Ayrshire to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. Many local organisations staged events in their local community to mark this notable anniversary. Beacons were lit all over the country at special ceremonies: the Depute Provost attended the event at the Secret Bunker in Skelmorlie, the Veterans Champion attended the event at Saltcoats Harbour, and I attended the event at Irvine Harbourside. It is always heartening to see our communities come together and support all those arranging activities in their local area. Community Photography Exhibition, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 8 May On the evening of 8 May, I officially opened Irvine Camera Club’s latest community photography exhibition in the Harbour Arts Centre. The exhibition showcased the Club’s photography where they celebrated the achievements of some local community groups they have been working with. This was an important recording of our social history and was expertly packaged by the Club. “For our Freedom and Yours” Exhibition Launch, Heritage Centre, Saltcoats, 9 May On 9 May, I visited the Heritage Centre in Saltcoats to launch the “For Our Freedom and Yours” exhibition. The exhibition was curated by Sean Szmalc, whose fascination with World War Two began when he was a young boy learning about it from his grandfather who served in the Polish Army. In addition to the exhibition stories were told, including the crash of a Whitley Bomber in Saltcoats Harbour in 1943, and the bravery of North Ayrshire's only World War Two recipient of the Victoria Cross, Kenneth Campbell.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Town Twinning E-Game Competition, Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine, 10 May Our first ever Twin Town e-game competition took place on 10 May in the Scottish Maritime Museum. Young people form Irvine Royal Academy competed with their counterparts in Irvine’s twin town, Voisins-les-Bretonneux in France. I was delighted to pop by and give my support. I also got the opportunity to say hello to the Mayor of Voisins who was online supporting the team from France. Opening of Beith Skatepark, Beith, 10 May On 10 May, I was delighted to officially open Beith’s new skatepark. The project was spearheaded by Beith Playpark Action Group. The Group have put in a lot of work to establish this facility for their local community and realising another improvement in Orr Park. Irvine Incorporated Trades May Ball, Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine, 10 May On 10 May, the Depute Provost attended the May Ball arranged by Irvine Incorporated Trades in the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine. Many local organisations were represented at this traditional event which was very entertaining and gave an insight into the excellent work carried out by many volunteers for their local community. Opening of General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, 17 May On 17 May, Provosts and special guests from all over Scotland attended the Opening Session of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. Following the parade to the Assembly Hall, where the opening session took place, I attended a reception hosted by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh This is a key event in the calendar where Provosts get the valuable opportunity to come together and catch up. Cunninghame Choir Concert, Our Lady’s Church, Beith, 18 May On 18 May, I attended Cunninghame Choir’s summer Concert, Sunshine on Beith, held in Our Lady’s Church in Beith. It was an impressive performance by the Choir, made an extra bit special by having the excellent acoustics of the church.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Haylie Neolithic Tomb Tour, Largs, 19 May On 19 May, I visited the Haylie Neolithic Tomb in Douglas Park, Largs - another fascinating piece of history in North Ayrshire. Older than Stonehenge, the significance was recognised years ago but getting verification and clearing the area to protect it has taken a while. The Tomb has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance by Historic Environment Scotland “for its potential to enhance our knowledge of early prehistoric burial practices and funerary architecture.” West Road Centre Opening, Irvine, 22 May On 22 May, I was delighted to officially open the new West Road Centre in Irvine. This specialist centre aims to change the way the residents of Ayrshire and Arran access and receive mental health care, acting as a base for the Neuro-CAMHS service, as well as the Community Eating Disorder Service for Ayrshire and Arran. Music from Victory in Europe Era, Geilsland Hall, Beith, 25 May I attended a VE Day concert in Geilsland Hall, Beith on 25 May. The concert, arranged by Barmill Jolly Beggars, was excellent and featured some great performances. The event featured the Cooperation Band and evoked the era of bygone days. Moorpark Primary School Official Opening, Kilbirnie, 27 May On 27 May, I was delighted to officially open the new Moorpark Primary School in Kilbirnie. The School is a great achievement and reflects the knowledge, skill and enthusiasm of many people from across the council, the wider school community and the many construction professionals who have contributed to delivering this wonderful project. It was great to see the positive impact the school is having on the lives of children, young people and their families. Veterans’ Day, Saltcoats, 28 May On 28 May, the Depute Provost attended the Veterans’ Day event held in Saltcoats Town Hall. It was great to see so many people turn out for this event and show their support to our veterans.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Provost’s Visit, Arran, 28 May On 28 May, I enjoyed spending time with volunteers at a variety of projects on Arran. This included, Arran Geopark, Arran Heritage Museum, Arran CVS, a meeting of the Community Association Network, Brodick Tennis Courts, and Arran Youth Foundation. Meeting the volunteers was truly inspiring. I was interested in finding out what motivates them to give up their spare time and to learn more about how they are supported and manage to network and communicate with other organisations. Throughout the day of my visit, I met some very interesting volunteers, local people who are devoted to contributing to island life and I take my hat off to them. Celebrating Success Ceremony, Auchenharvie Academy, Stevenston, 28 May On 28 May, the Depute Provost attended Auchenharvie Academy’s Celebrating Success Ceremony. The event showcased the talents and achievements of the young people. It is always a privilege to be able to acknowledge the excellent work that is carried out in our schools. Beith Citizen of the Year Bowling Club, Beith, 30 May The Beith Citizen of the Year presentation took place in Beith Bowling Club on 30 May. This was hotly contested amongst volunteers who have given decades of their time to ensure the enjoyment of others. Congratulations to Shona Pennie, this year’s winner. Community Windpower Family Open Day, Dalry, 31 May On 31 May , I attended the Community Windpower Family Open Day in Dalry. It was a great opportunity to find out a bit more about the facility and to meet representatives from the local community. Greig Steven Memorial, It’s a Knockout, Valefield Park, Kilbirnie, 31 May On the afternoon of 31 May, I attended the Greig Steven Memorial It’s a Knockout event and presented prizes to the competitors. It was a great competition with a fantastic effort from each of the teams, who did not let the rain get in the way. All teams were raising funds for the charity that provides support for those facing cancer a need a respite break.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Arran Pride, Brodick, 31 May On 31 May, the Depute Provost attended this year’s Arran Pride event in Brodick. The event was as colourful and vibrant as in previous years and celebrated the fantastic, diverse communities that call Arran home. It was great to see so many community groups and individuals come together to make the event the success that it was. “This is Us” Summer Concert, Lockhart Campus, Stevenston, 3 June On 3 June, I attended Lockhart Campus’ summer concert, “This is Us”. There was such enthusiasm, great music and wonderful performances. It is a pleasure attending events like these and to see the results of all the hard work put in by both pupils and staff. Official Opening of the Putting Green/Crazy Golf, South Beach, Ardrossan, 6 June On 6 June, I officially opened the putting green and crazy golf at Ardrossan South Beach. This is a terrific addition to the seafront and congratulations to the Ardrossan Community Development Trust for the progress they are making and for delivering another successful project. Beneath the Waves Exhibition, Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine, 6 June I attended a private viewing of the “Beneath the Waves Exhibition” in the Scottish Maritime Museum on 6 June. The exhibition takes you on an immersive journey exploring the hidden depths of the ocean and displays some of the recovered cargo from SS Eagle that sunk off Lamlash Bay. Volunteer of the Year, Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie, 7 June On 7 June, I attended the Volunteer of the Year event in Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie. I was delighted to present the award to Ann Russell. Ann has served many groups and organisations over the years and is the current chair of Café Solace. This event highlighted the exceptional work carried out by volunteers in their local community.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 6 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Carers Gateway Conference, Saltcoats, 11 June On 11 June, I delivered the opening remarks at this year’s Carers Gateway Conference, which was held in Oscars in Saltcoats. The theme for Carers Week is Equality in Caring with specific emphasis on health and social care, financial wellbeing, work and employment, young carers, older carers and mental health and wellbeing. The conference was shaped to address these topics either through presentations or stallholders. It was great to meet so many people at the event and it was an excellent opportunity for the voices of our carers, here in North Ayrshire, to be heard. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council