Provosts Report
North Ayrshire Council · 5 November 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 5 November 2025 and its agenda
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 8 September – 26 October 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: 8 September – 26 October 2025 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Irvine Royal Academy Prizegiving, 10 September On 10 September, I attended Irvine Royal Academy’s Prizegiving Ceremony. It is always a pleasure to attend these ceremonies and acknowledge the excellent work that goes on in our schools and to see the positive results from our talented and skilled young people. Garnock Valley Carves, Dalry, 13 September On 13 September, I attended Garnock Valley Carves at Dalry Show Ground, which despite the ever-changing weather was a great success. It was good to see the work of the carvers and the support the event received from groups and businesses showcasing their wares. The event is organised by a team of volunteers who work throughout the year, my thanks go out to them all. West Kilbride Village Hall 125th Anniversary Celebration, West Kilbride, 13 September West Kilbride Village Hall celebrated its 125th Anniversary on 13 September. The voluntary management group who run the facility pulled out all the stops to mark this milestone with a celebratory lunch, family afternoon tea and a dance in the evening. The Village Hall remains an active social hub for West Kilbride, hosting events, concerts and providing space for community groups. It is also the home to the West Kilbride Museum, which displays artefacts and information on local history and heritage. Fairtrade Fortnight Launch, Irvine, 17 September On 17 September, the North Ayrshire Fair Trade Zone Group visited Cunninghame House to officially launch Fairtrade Fortnight. The special 14 days of awareness raising is held annually to help those in developing countries get a guaranteed minimum price for their produce. It also shines a light on community development, working conditions and sustainability. We have
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION proud history of supporting this movement, and it is important that we continue our commitment to sustainable development, fair wages and prices for producers. Marymass Committee Presentation, Irvine, 17 September Also on 17 September, I was delighted to present the Marymass Committee with £1000. This amount was raised at the lunch reception I hosted on Irvine Moor on Marymass Saturday. The money will go toward the costs of arranging next year’s Festival. Opening Ceremony, St Mary’s Gardens, Largs, 18 September On 18 September, I was delighted to attend the official opening of St. Mary’s Gardens in Largs. The site completes the larger Flatt Road development that started in 2021 and provides a further twenty-six properties, including amenity bungalows and flats as well as general needs houses. There was enthusiastic input from the pupils from St Mary’s Primary School, Largs Primary School and Largs Academy with an original poem and the burying of a time capsule. Barga Night, Cecchini’s Restuarant, Ardrossan, 19 September On the evening of 19 September, I attended the Barga Night in Cecchini’s Restaurant in Ardrossan. The Cecchini family hail from Barga and the event was arranged by them to celebrate the links between Scotland and Italy. The Lord Provost of Glasgow, the Provost of South Ayrshire Council and the Mayor of Barga were all in attendance. Celebrating Success Ceremony, Auchenharvie Academy, 24 September On 24 September, the Depute Provost attended Auchenharvie Academy’s Celebrating Success Ceremony, in Stevenston. The event showcased the achievements of the pupils and highlighted the importance of acknowledging the excellent work that goes on in our schools throughout North Ayrshire. St. Mary’s Church 150th Anniversary, Irvine, 26 September On 26 September, the Depute Provost attended St. Mary’s Church, 150th Anniversary event in Irvine. There was a great turn out and it was very interesting to hear about the Church’s history and the positive impact it has on the local community and how it has survived the test of time. Kirking of Deacon Convener of Irvine Incorporated Trades, Old Parish Church, Irvine, 5 October The Depute Provost attended the Kirking of the Deacon Convener of Irvine Incorporated Trades, David Murdoch, in Irvine Old Parish Church, on 5 October. Many local organisations attended this annual event which is steeped in Irvine’s cultural history.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Opening of Carers’ Gallery, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 20 October On 20 October, I attended the opening of the Carers’ Gallery in the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine. The event marked the culmination of the Unseen, Unheard, Unbroken project which celebrated the experience of carers through creative expression. It was great to meet the artists and hear more about this excellent project. The artworks will be featuring in the community gallery at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. Grand Opening of Millport Town Hall, 22 October On 22 October, I officially opened the refurbished Millport Town Hall. The event marked the conclusion of many years work and determination by dedicated volunteers supported by funding from the Scottish Government, North Ayrshire Council and from a number of other sources. It was heartening to see the community come together and celebrate this major achievement. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council