Agenda Contents
North Ayrshire Council · 25 June 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 25 June 2025 and its agenda
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE North Ayrshire Council A Meeting of North Ayrshire Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Ground Floor, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE on Wednesday, 25 June 2025 at 14:00 to consider the undernoted business. Meeting Arrangements - Hybrid Meetings This meeting will be held on a predominantly physical basis but with provision, by prior notification, for remote attendance by Elected Members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003. Where possible, the meeting will be live-streamed and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home. 1 Apologies 2 Declarations of Interest Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda. 3 Previous Minutes The accuracy of the Minutes of the Ordinary and Special Meetings of the Council held on 14 May 2025 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copy enclosed). 4 Provost's Report Submit report by the Provost for the period covering 5 May 2025 to 15 June 2025 (copy enclosed). 5 Leader's Report Submit report by the Leader of the Council for the period covering 5 May 2025 to 15 June 2025 (copy enclosed).
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE 6 Minute Volume (issued under separate cover) Submit, for noting and for approval of any recommendations contained therein, the Minutes of Meetings of committees of the Council held in the period 6 May to 4 June 2025. 7 Appointments to Outside Bodies The Council is invited to consider the following nominations: 1. a proposal by Councillor D Reid, seconded by Councillor Cullinane, that Councillor McLaughlan be appointed to serve on North Ayrshire Leisure Limited Board; and 2. a proposal by Councillor D Reid, seconded by Councillor Cullinane, that Councillor Hume be appointed to serve as a named substitute on the Community Planning Partnership Safer North Ayrshire Partnership. 8 Ardrossan Campus Submit a report by the Executive Director (Place) on the delivery of the Ardrossan Campus project (copy enclosed). 9 North Ayrshire Council Unaudited Annual Accounts 2024/25 Submit report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the unaudited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2025 (copy enclosed). 10 North Ayrshire Charitable Trusts: Unaudited Trustees’ Annual Report 2024/25 Submit report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the unaudited Trustees’ Annual Report for the year to 31 March 2025, for approval by the Council as trustees (copy enclosed). 11 Treasury Management and Investment Annual Report 2024/25 Submit report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the Treasury Management and Investment Annual Report and Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 (copy enclosed). 12 Congratulatory Motion In terms of Standing Order 15.3, submit the undernoted motion, duly proposed and seconded, which seeks to congratulate, commend or recognise an individual or group in relation to their achievement or activities within North Ayrshire:-
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (1) a congratulatory motion, duly proposed and seconded, in the following terms:- The current very successful Irvine and Dreghorn Band trace their roots to 1975, when local brass teachers with parents in North Ayrshire schools formed Irvine Youth Band. The band had many successes over the years. in 1982 the Irvine Youth and Dreghorn Youth bands merged to become Irvine and Dreghorn Band creating a huge band of around 45 members. Only a year later the band started to compete in Scottish competitions and by the end of that year had taken 1st place in the 4th Section at the Whitburn Invitational Contest. The average age of the competing band was only 17! Today (2025), the band still have players who competed in that very contest! 2012 saw the exciting development of a third-tier to the organisation There was always a small youth band which sat side by side to the Senior Band, but the formation of the ‘Brasslets’ saw the youngest learners and complete beginners brought on board. They have since competed at the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships and continue to go from strength to strength. Band members give of their time and talents teaching the ‘Brasslets’. In July 2014 the band performed in two prestigious gigs. Firstly, to royalty at the opening of the walled garden at Dumfries House where the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla were all in attendance. Next, the band entertained the world’s top sportsmen and women, marching and performing at the Athlete’s Village as part of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. A community asset transfer from North Ayrshire Council of the Dunlop Hall in Dreghorn, saw them decorate their new home making it welcoming to all and a fantastic asset with its many practice rooms. The main hall is capable of holding 80 attendees at regular concerts. In 2022, the band added yet another tier to their band family. A community band! This saw them welcome back players from yesteryears. Some had continued playing socially, others picked up an instrument for the first time in many years. They meet each Monday evening in Dunlop Hall and thoroughly enjoy playing for personal satisfaction. In 2023, the competing band came 1st at the Scottish Championships (3rd Section) and went on to compete at the Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at Cheltenham in the September 2023. The band continue to play at a variety of local events, contests and concerts and hope to see more success in 2025 as they join the 1st section of the Scottish Brass Band Championships.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE North Ayrshire Council notes the short history and congratulate Irvine and Dreghorn Band members, past and present, on reaching their 50th anniversary year; wishing them well as they continue to keep brass band music flowing in North Ayrshire. 13 Questions In terms of Standing Order 14, submit:- (1) a question by Councillor Cullinane to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Can the Council Leader explain why she believes it was acceptable to suspend standing orders last year to review the budget decision to cut school librarians, but believes it would be wrong to suspend standing orders to debate reviewing the SNP Administration’s decision to cut school crossing patrollers?” (2) a question by Councillor Inglis to the Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy in the following terms: "Can the Cabinet provide a clear update on the lift renewal project at Saltcoats High Flats, including the confirmed timeline for completion, the total cost, and what steps are being taken to minimise disruption for elderly and disabled residents during the works?” (3) a question by Councillor McLean to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Prior to the last meeting of North Ayrshire Council, the Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the creation of a £4.4 million Business Resilience fund with the South Uist Business Impact Group for communities affected by ferry disruption - has the leader of the council engaged, either directly with the government, or through other forums such as the Ardrossan Harbour Task Force or COSLA to either get Arran and Ardrossan included in this fund or for the creation of a similar fund for them?” (4) a question by Councillor Murdoch to the Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands in the following terms: “There is a fully constructed energy and storage facility built at Hunterston. There would appear to be no batteries in it yet and there is no sign of it being operational any time soon. Is the Cabinet Member and North Ayrshire Council concerned about this, do you know why it is not operational, and can you please provide a date when it will be operational?”
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (5) a question by Councillor Gurney to the Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands in the following terms: "The owners of Seafield School in Ardrossan recently felled several dozen mature trees. Following the work the owners claimed that they had followed all necessary procedures. Scottish Forestry immediately imposed a Stop Order, forbidding any further work on the site. I personally witnessed this Stop Order being violated with the owners continuing work, ignoring the notices posted on the locked gates to the site. Would you please outline the Council’s involvement in this matter, including any permission sought or gained to complete this work?" (6) a question by Councillor Kerr to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “All elected members received a copy of the joint letter from the Garnock Valley Community Councils to the Council Leader which was scathing about her decision to shut down debate on the SNP’s administration's decision to cut school crossing patrollers. Given elected members were copied into the Community Councils letter, will the Council Leader publish her response to the letter and for it to be included in the minute of today’s meeting?” (7) a question by Councillor Marshall to the Cabinet Member for Finance in the following terms: “In the Financial Year 24/25 how, much was spent by the Council Taxpayer on the utility bills of those employees working from home (WFH)?” (8) a question by Councillor McLean to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “With the Scottish Government now exploring purchase of Ardrossan Harbour, which has reportedly resulted in a current stalemate with allegedly slow moving processes from the responsible body, how likely is it that the current business case, which relies on Peel Port funding, will be scrapped or re-revised, leading to further delay in the harbour upgrade and the continued use of Troon Harbour for residents of Arran?”
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (9) a question by Councillor Murdoch to the Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy in the following terms: “At a meeting of Ardrossan Community Stakeholders Group held on 13th March 2025, it was reported that 17,500 litres of Heavy Fuel Oil that had been separated from soils and water during the remediation works, has been removed from the site for recycling and soil mass calculations, showed removal of 108 tonnes of Hydrocarbons from the soils, with an anticipated additional 110 tonnes to be removed on completion of all bioremediation (total mass removal of 220 tonnes). Will the Cabinet Member please provide members with a comprehensive list of all identified contaminants, hydrocarbons and amounts thereof found? How has the decontaminated soils and Heavy Fuel Oil been disposed of? Have all of the proposed site been decontaminated and free from contaminants and hydrocarbons, and will he provide to members a copy of the letter or report on acceptance of compliance from the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive?” (10) a question by Councillor Cullinane to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “To ask the Cabinet Member for Education how many applications for school transport were submitted through the flexiroute system in 2023/24 and 2024/25, how many applications were approved and how many were refused?” (11) a question by Councillor Marshall to the Cabinet Member for Finance in the following terms: “In the Financial Year 24/25 what was the estimated gain or loss in productivity by operating the policy working from home (WFH)?”
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (12) a question by Councillor McLean to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “In a previous council meeting I asked the member whether North Ayrshire Council’s policies and procedures regarding single sex spaces, including changing rooms and toilets - including those used by staff, children and young people - were compliant with the law. He assured me that all of our policies and procedures were compliant with the law and specifically rejected the suggestion that North Ayrshire Council may be contravening the law. In the light of the recent Supreme Court Ruling in favour of the biological definition of sex and gender, can the member please share with me if North Ayrshire Council has had to review or change any of it’s policies and procedures and if any resource has had to or will need to be spent to change or alter any existing facilities?” (13) a question by Councillor Angus-McDonald to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Having hidden behind standing orders to block a debate on their cuts to school crossing patrollers, does the SNP administration believe it would also be fair to block parents campaigning for their children’s safety from petitioning the council using the same six-month rule in standing orders?” (14) a question by Councillor McLean to the Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy in the following terms: “To ask the member regarding North Ayrshire Council plans on what it will do with it’s black bin and any commercial waste after December 31st this year? I ask this question as some members of the current and previous administration have now tried to jump on the bandwagon, claiming to have ‘always opposed’ the use of Waste Incinerators, like the one being built in Oldhall. Some members have tried to claim to opponents that the SNP and Labour parties have banned them, which isn’t true; we have a moratorium, a pause. And the stated reason that the government gave for the pause on new licenses is that there was a rush to build waste incinerators to meet this year's deadline, and that there was a concern about overcapacity. There has also been concern raised that current capacity is not sufficient and that this may mean sending waste to England or even abroad. Does North Ayrshire Council plan to send its waste for incineration and is North Ayrshire exploring or signing ‘bridging contracts’ with third parties to deal with our waste in the new year?"
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (15) a question by Councillor McLaughlan to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Who does the Council Leader think is correct – the SNP candidate in last- years Kilwinning by-election who stated one of her priorities was road safety around schools, or the Council Leader herself who thinks that removing existing school crossing patrollers is a matter of fairness?” 14 Motions In terms of Standing Order 15, submit:- (1) A motion by Councillor Murdoch, seconded by Councillor D.L Reid, in the following terms: That North Ayrshire Council explore the potential to use solar powered lights, security cameras and any other beneficial, low maintenance, solar powered items, that would benefit our constituents and constituencies. (2) A motion by Councillor Marshall, seconded by Councillor Inglis in the following terms: Zero based budgeting is an approach to budgeting that starts from the premise that no costs or activities should be factored into the plans for the next year's Budget just because they figured in the cost or activities for the previous Financial Year rather everything that is to be included in the Budget must be considered and justified. We move, noting the Financial restraints under which Public Authorities are operating in Scotland, and in seeking value for money for Council Tax Payers, that North Ayrshire Council now adopt Zero Based Budgeting in principal and for the Financial year 26/27 introduce this in a phased manner commencing with costs and activities that are discretionary.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (3) A motion by Councillor Inglis, seconded by Councillor Marshall, in the following terms: Council notes: • That North Ayrshire Council has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, a target that is more ambitious than the UK Government (2050) and the Scottish Government (2045). • That the pursuit of this target has already incurred significant costs and places pressure on frontline services such as roads and education. • That many core powers for emissions reduction lie with national government and industry, limiting the local authority’s direct impact. • That local resident — including elderly people, working families, and small business owners — are facing significant financial pressures and expect Council resources to prioritise essential services. Council believes: • That Council spending should focus on core priorities that deliver clear local benefits, rather than meeting externally driven targets. • That accountability and affordability must come before ambitious policy goals that may affect service delivery. • That public confidence depends on aligning Council action with local needs, not political agendas. Council therefore resolves: • To formally withdraw its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. • Subject to adhering to its obligations under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and any existing contracts: o To cease all projects, programmes, or spending being undertaken primarily to meet the 2030 net-zero target. o To instruct that no further reports, strategies, or officer time be allocated to the delivery or planning of the 2030 net- zero target.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (4) A motion by Councillor Foster, seconded by Councillor Cullinane, in the following terms: This Council notes and affirms: • The vital role that independent advocacy plays in upholding the rights, amplifying the voices, and improving outcomes for Care Experienced people across Scotland, enabling individuals to express their views, understand their rights, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. • The commitments made in The Promise to ensure that Care experienced children and adults must have the right and access to independent advocacy, at all stages of their experience of care and beyond, and must ensure that advocacy is separate from statutory organisations and service providers. • Its duties under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), particularly Article 12, which guarantees every child the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them and to have those views given due weight. We acknowledge the role of independent advocacy in ensuring that child-friendly routes to justice are accessible and effective in practice. • That the current levels of independent advocacy for Care Experienced people across Scotland may leave many unable to access advocacy at the point of need. This is unacceptable and undermines efforts to uphold children's rights and deliver on The Promise. • Council should be funded and supported to ensure that every Care Experienced person should have access to advocacy if they need it, to be heard, to be respected, and to thrive. Council therefore moves: • To support the Who Cares? Scotland “Action on Advocacy” campaign, which calls for a statutory right to Independent Advocacy to be included within the Care and Young People (Scotland) Bill. • To instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise Natalie Don-Innes asking her to ensure that such a right is included in the Bill, supported by sufficient funding and a clear framework for delivery. • To commit to reviewing the current provision of independent advocacy for Care Experienced people within this local authority area, identifying any gaps in access or delivery, and working with community planning partners who are also Corporate Parents to strengthen local provision. • To continue to engage with Care Experienced people locally, ensuring their views and experiences shape how independent advocacy is delivered in our area and influence our work on the Promise.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (5) A motion by Councillor Angus-McDonald, seconded by Councillor McLaughlan, in the following terms: A Motion to suspend paragraphs 15.4, 25.1 and Appendix B of Standing Orders Relating to Meetings and Proceedings of the Council to allow full Council to reconsider decisions taken within the previous 6 months. (6) A motion by Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Sweeney, in the following terms: A Motion to suspend paragraphs 15.4 and 25.1 of Standing Orders Relating to Meetings and Proceedings of the Council to allow for full council to reconsider a decision taken at the Budget Meeting on 26 February 2025.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (7) A motion by Councillor McLean, seconded by Councillor S Ferguson, in the following terms: That this Council reaffirms its commitment to genuine localism and community sovereignty and acknowledges the long-standing failure of centralised locality planning to protect the distinct identity, services, and economic prospects of smaller villages across North Ayrshire. Council recognises the deep erosion of civic infrastructure in communities such as Dreghorn and Springside - where local schools, libraries, and assets have been at risk of removal or amalgamation into larger administrative zones - leaving residents with fewer services, less say, and no meaningful control over their own futures. Council supports the principles outlined in the ‘Building a Local Scotland’ campaign and agrees that the current locality model disempowers smaller communities by subsuming them into bureaucratic arrangements dominated by larger neighbours. Accordingly, Council agrees as follows: • To instruct officers to bring forward a report including the financial implications of any recommendations to a future meeting of the Council outlining: o How this authority can create and empower structures beneath the current locality level with meaningful decision- making powers and input over local regeneration, planning influence, and budgets. o A full audit of what powers and levers of control are currently denied to villages like Dreghorn and Springside - and how these might be restored or devolved. o New mechanisms for allowing villages to lead on local high street renewal, economic development, cultural and community programming, employment schemes, and asset ownership. o Opportunities for villages to develop unique economic and civic identities, with support to pursue distinct regeneration strategies. o A review of relevant statutory frameworks - including the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, and the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 - to ensure full alignment with national expectations on bottom-up governance. The developing Local Governance Review should also be taken into account as part of the review. o A new programme for developing village-level community plans, treated as if they were statutory requirements akin to the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018- ensuring every village has a voice in setting its own priorities and direction.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE • To allocate funding of £50,000 from the Change and Service Redesign Fund for initial scoping work to be undertaken to inform the future report. Council affirms that no community - however small - should be absorbed, silenced, or sidelined. Power must return to the people, starting with the villages that are at risk to lose the most. 15 Urgent Items Any other items which the Chair considers to be urgent. Webcasting Please note: this meeting may be filmed/recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home, where it will be capable of repeated viewing. At the start of the meeting, the Provost/Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed/recorded/live-streamed. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data collected during the webcast will be retained in accordance with the Council’s published policy, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site. Generally, the press and public will not be filmed. However, by entering the Council Chambers and using the press or public seating area, you acknowledge that you may be filmed and that any information pertaining to you contained in the video and oral recording of the meeting will be used for webcasting or training purposes and for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available to the public. In making this use of your information the Council is processing data which is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. If you have any queries regarding this and, in particular, if you believe that use and/or storage of any particular information would cause, or be likely to cause, substantial damage or distress to any individual, please contact dataprotectionofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE North Ayrshire Council Sederunt Nairn Angus-McDonald John Bell Marie Burns Eleanor Collier Joe Cullinane Charles Currie Scott Davidson Anthea Dickson Stewart Ferguson Todd Ferguson Robert Foster Scott Gallacher Tony Gurney Alan Hill Mary Hume Cameron Inglis Margaret Johnson Amanda Kerr Christina Larsen Shaun Macaulay Jean McClung Matthew McLean Louise McLaughlan Davina McTiernan Tom Marshall Jim Montgomerie Ian Murdoch Donald Reid Donald L Reid Chloe Robertson Ronnie Stalker Angela Stephen John Sweeney Chair: Apologies: Attending: