Leader's Report
North Ayrshire Council · 17 September 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 17 September 2025 and its agenda
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Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 16 June – 7 September 2025 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Leader of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Marie Burns.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 1 Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 16 June – 7 September 2025 IRVINE ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER CABARET, 16 June On 16 June, I was invited along to Irvine Royal Academy’s Summer Cabaret. Well done to all the pupils on another first-class performance and, of course, to all the teachers and staff involved in putting the show together. It was a great way to celebrate the end of the school year. SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLACE AND WELLBEING BOARD MEETING, 17 June On 17June, I attended a meeting of the Scottish Government Place and Wellbeing Board. The Programme Board provides direction, oversight and a decision-making authority for the delivery of the Place and Wellbeing Programme as well as reporting to the Care and Wellbeing Portfolio Board. Attendees received various verbal presentations including a Marmot Places update, a Programme update and a Population Health Framework update. North Ayrshire Council is one of three Scottish local authorities that are collaborating with health experts on ways to improve health and well-being for residents. The wide-ranging partnership will examine ways to strengthen and accelerate actions that will reduce health inequities for people living in North Ayrshire, Aberdeen City and South Lanarkshire. Health boards in each of the three areas will also work alongside Public Health Scotland (PHS) and University College London’s Institute of Health Equity (IHE), on the two-year long Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES). MONTGOMERIE PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL OFFICIAL OPENING, 17 June Later on, the17 June, I was delighted to attend the official opening of Montgomerie Park Primary school in Irvine. The school was officially opened by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP and it was great to be able to welcome the Minister back to North Ayrshire. Developed by hub South West Scotland and delivered by their construction partner Robertson Construction Central West, the facility is also special as it the is the first ‘Passivhaus’ school in the area. Passivhaus Standard delivers buildings which provide a high level of comfort for
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 2 Official Information Official Information occupants, while using very little energy for heating and cooling. The new school will use significantly less energy than a typical school building, resulting in lower carbon emissions, and lower energy bills. Montgomerie Park is an incredible, state-of-the-art building providing a first-class, learning and teaching environment of the highest quality, one which I am sure the pupils will thrive in. GREENWOOD ACADEMY JUNIOR PRIZEGIVING, 18 June On 18 June, I was delighted to attend Greenwood Academy’s Junior Prizegiving evening. This was another great evening spent with pupils and teachers and provided the opportunity of hearing more about pupils’ achievements throughout the year. NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE, 19 June On 19 June, I attended an NHS Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) meeting where attendees discussed various Internal Audit and Governance papers. The Committee were also presented with several Governance reports, which included the following: • National IT Services • NSS Practitioner Services • Payment Verification Annual Report • Patient Exemption Checking – Annual Report 2024/25 • Strategic Risk Register The Committee also identified and agreed any issues of risk that would be reported to the Risk and Resilience Scrutiny and Assurance Group. MEETING OF THE AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD, 23 June On 23 June, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) where attendees received the Draft Ayrshire Growth Deal Annual Report April 2024 – March 2025. Board members agreed the content of the report and recommended approval to the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC) for the following: (i) Note progress with the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) during the 12-month period April 2024 – March 2025– which relates to the accumulative activities from the date of Deal signing (19 November 2020) to 30 March 2025.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 3 Official Information Official Information (ii) The Annual Report 2024/25 and placement on the AGD website and wider publication following approval of UK and Scottish Government colleagues on the final draft. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE, 23 June Later on, 23 June, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC). The Committee received various reports providing updates on the following: • Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) Programme Update • AGD Programme Risk Register Update • AGD Governance Update • AGD Annual Report April 2024 – March 2025 NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE, 24 June On 24 June, I attended another NHS Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) meeting held specifically to look at the annual accounts for 2024-25. These were agreed and will be presented to the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Board for final approval. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEE, AYRSHIRE SKILLS INVESTMENT FUND (ASIF), 24 June Later on, the 24 June, I chaired a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee Sub- Committee, Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF). Attendees received reports on various streams of work, including: • Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund Delivery Model Review – Approval of Grants • Employer Grants In House Delivery – Survey Update There was also a verbal update on EKOS, the company who are responsible for providing regular reporting on progress of the AGD. ELECTED MEMBER DEVELOPMENT SESSION, 26 June On 26 June, I attended an Elected Member Development session on The Equal Programme “Closing the Disability Employment Gap”. The EQUAL Programme is a supported employment service engaging with people with disabilities and long-term health conditions and provides a
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 4 Official Information Official Information wide range of opportunities to develop confidence and skills to progress to sustainable employment. The EQUAL team have just opened a Disability Employment Hub at Lochshore Park which creates more opportunities to enhance the environment, increase health and wellbeing while preparing people for the world of work. COSLA LEADERS’, 27 June On 27 June, I attended a meeting of COSLA Leaders. It was another packed agenda which included the following items for discussion: • Pay Update • Council Tax Reform Engagement • Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy • Reduction in Class Contact Time • Scottish Climate Intelligence Service • UKG Welfare Reform Consultation • Scotland’s Housing Challenges • EHRC Code of Practice Consultation 2025 • COSLA Manifesto • Flood Risk Management • Local Government Finance Update The refreshed Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy was published on 19th June 2025. COSLA was involved in a Public Service Reform summit in February alongside 100 senior leaders with the aim of agreeing a shared vision, priorities and approach. There are three pillars, linked closely to the Christie Commission key principles, with workstreams under each pillar: • Prevention • Joined-Up Services • Efficient Services • Foundation workstreams COSLA is keen to state the ambitions, Local Governance Review and Public Service Reform should be viewed through the Verity House Agreement (VHA) priorities, with shared governance at its core.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 5 Official Information Official Information NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN HEALTHCARE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, 4 August On 4 August, I attended an NHS Ayrshire and Arran Healthcare Governance Committee where attendees received numerous Annual reports detailing progress in their respective areas, including reports from the Area Drug Therapeutics Committee, Area Nutrition Strategic Group, Infection Prevention and Control Team and Mental Welfare Commission Annual Assurance Report. The Committee was also presented with annual reports on Patient Experiences, Complaints and Safety Reports followed by an Integrated Health and Care Governance Framework biennial review. SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLACE AND WELLBEING BOARD MEETING, 6 August On 6 August, I attended a meeting of the Scottish Government Place and Wellbeing Board. The Programme Board provides direction, oversight and a decision-making authority for the delivery of the Place and Wellbeing Programme as well as reporting to the Care and Wellbeing Portfolio Board. The main item of discussion was the Population Health Framework. Developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA, working with Public Health Scotland, Directors of Public Health and key, local, regional, and national partners, it sets out 30 actions across five primary prevention drivers of health and wellbeing: • A prevention focused system • Social and economic factors • Places and communities – including a specific action to ‘build a resilient and sustainable community and voluntary sector’ • Enabling healthy living • Equitable access to health and care. The Communities Workstream seeks to strengthen the role of community and voluntary organisations in supporting the health and wellbeing within our local communities.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 6 Official Information Official Information NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN BOARD MEETING, 11 August On 11 August, I attended a meeting of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Board meeting. Attendees received updates relating to performance and healthcare governance. There was also a good news story outlining the success of the Robotics department and how it has been beneficial to patients and clinicians. The meeting was also attended by the new interim NHS A&A Chief Executive, Gordon James. I would like to wish Clare Burden, the outgoing Chief Executive, all the best for the future. VISIT TO SCOTTISH MARITIME MUSEUM, TRASHION SHOW, 13 August On 13 August, I visited the Scottish Maritime Museum to attend an exhibition entitled “Trashion Show” which follows on from the successful community exhibition created by an intergenerational group from the local Irvine community. Some of the items on display were created during workshops running during the summer holidays. This was a powerful exhibition with a clear message about environmental stewardship and making better choices for our oceans and the environment. MARYMASS OPENING FESTIVAL, 14 August On the 14 August, I attended the Marymass Festival Opening Ceremony at the Townhouse in Irvine. I would like to congratulate Gordon Storrar on being re-elected as Captain of Irvine Carters. BROOMLANDS AND BOURTREEHILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, COMMUNITY GARDEN OPENING, 15 August On 15 August, I was delighted to attend the official opening of Broomlands and Bourtreehill Community Association (BABCA) community garden at Towerlands Community Centre. I know this will bring our community together by providing a lovely setting in the heart of the community. Congratulations to all those involved in working to achieve this.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 7 Official Information Official Information WELLBEING SHOWCASE, CLIMATE ACTION AND WELLBEING, 15 August Later on, 15 August, I was delighted to go along to a “Wellbeing Showcase” held at the Harbour Arts Centre. The event uses the power of drama therapy to connect young people, allowing them to express themselves whilst addressing issues relating to Climate Action and Wellbeing. Congratulations to all the young people involved in putting on a powerful performance covering the key themes of: • Plastic world • A Sea Change in the Forest • Earth Needs Help Adventure • Climate Heroes • Go Go Green Machine MARYMASS SATURDAY, 23 August I was delighted to go along to Marymass Saturday on 23 August and see the crowning ceremony of the Marymass Queen, Laicey Dewar. I took part in the parade up to Irvine Moor and attended the Provost’s Reception and lunch. My thanks to Provost Anthea Dickson for a lovely afternoon and my congratulations to the Royal Marymass Party who have performed their duties so well as part of the longstanding, local traditions of Irvine. MARYMASS CHURCH SERVICE, 25 August On 25 August and to wrap up Marymass 2025, I attended a church service at St Mary’s Church in Irvine. It was a lovely service by Father Kelly who highlighted the importance of bringing people together and to value the importance of the community spirit, such as that seen during the Marymass Festival.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 8 Official Information Official Information THE THREE TOWNS LOCALITY VISIT, 28 August On 28 August, together with North Ayrshire Council Chief Executive, Craig Hatton, I took part in another one of our locality visits, this time to visit the Three Towns. The first part of the visit was to Fitzsimmons Wynd in Ardrossan to visit the recently built £5m housing development of general needs houses, amenity bungalows and homes suitable for wheelchair users. It was supported by £2m of Scottish Government funding. The development is at the site of the former James McFarlane school and provides 19 new energy-efficient homes. The development has been named “Fitzsimmons Wynd” after the last Provost of Ardrossan, John Henry Fitzsimmons. The properties support the Council’s efforts to combat climate change and tackle carbon emissions. They have been built with environmentally friendly features such as enhanced building insulation, air-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, low-energy lighting and water-saving fixtures and fittings. From there it was visit to Ardrossan Harbour to meet with North Ayrshire Council Regeneration Team to look at the Low-Carbon Hub and Coastal projects, more specifically the Active Travel element of the project including a recently installed 6 rapid EV charging bays and bike shelters. The Active Travel team have done extensive work around this providing first class options for those wishing to choose a greener, low cost means of travel. Finally, the visit finished with the official opening of the Ardrossan Coastal Path. The path, which is a key element of the Ardrossan North Shore regeneration programme, has been designed and constructed in partnership between North Ayrshire Council and Sustrans with close coordination through the design stage and with a construction funding contribution of £1.5M. This programme comprises phased development of this former oil terminal site to include the Ardrossan Community Campus, residential and commercial development. It forms part of a greater structure comprising a coastal revetment and reinforced concrete sea wall and includes segregated cycle and footways, six buildouts and related benches. My thanks again to everyone involved in these visits and for setting time aside to meet with us.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 9 Official Information Official Information COSLA LEADERS’, 29 August On 29 August, I attended a meeting of COSLA Leaders’. It was a busy agenda which included the following items for discussion: • COSLA Manifesto • National Care Service Advisory Board • Fiscal Framework • European Charter of Local Self-Government • Residential Outdoor Education • Universal Credit Two Child Limit Mitigation • Scottish Government Housing Emergency Action Plan • Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility • Local Government Finance and Council Tax Reform Update • Scottish Climate Intelligence Service • UKG Welfare Reform Consultation • Scotland’s Housing Challenges • EHRC Code of Practice Consultation 2025 • COSLA Manifesto • Flood Risk Management • Local Government Finance Update The Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Ms McAllan is keen to work with Local Government through COSLA to address current Housing challenges. The Housing Emergency action plan is expected to be issued in late September with the Housing Bill having reached Stage 3, with committee debate expected to take place in the next 1-2 months. VISIT BY SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CABINET SECRETARY, 3 September On 3 September, I was delighted to welcome Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville to North Ayrshire (Ardrossan Parent Hub then Lochshore) to learn more about our Parental Employment Service as well as our EQUAL Programme. The visit was part of the launch of the Specialist Employability Support (SES) which will be delivered through “No One Left Behind” and Local Employability Partnerships (LEPS) across Scotland. North Ayrshire Council’s EQUAL Programme is an established and successful SES delivery model and has been selected as a model of best practice for Scotland. It was also fantastic
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 10 Official Information Official Information that the Cabinet Secretary was able to formally open the Equal Programme service at its new home in Lochshore Hub. 1ST TIER JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE & CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP MEETING, 4 September On 4 September, I chaired a meeting of the 1st Tier Joint Consultative Committee and the Corporate Health and Safety Group. Attendees received Health and Safety reports from various Directorates including PLACE, Communities and Education and from the Health and Social Care Partnership. The Committee also received a Risk and Audit Update. NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN HEALTHCARE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, 5 September On 5 September, I attended an NHS Ayrshire and Arran Healthcare Governance Committee where attendees received reports on patient safety and patient experiences. The Committee were also asked to consider and note progress on various Governance reports and to look at various assurance reports that fall under the Committee’s remit. MEETING OF THE AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD, 5 September On 5 September, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) where attendees received reports on the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) Internal Audit Annual Report 2025/26 and the AGD Internal Audit Annual Plan for 2025/26. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE, 5 September Also on 5 September, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC), The Committee received reports on the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) Internal Audit annual report for 2025/26, the AGD Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26 and an AGD Economic Modelling Update.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 11 Official Information Official Information Councillor Marie Burns Leader of North Ayrshire Council