Provosts Report
North Ayrshire Council · 24 June 2026
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 24 June 2026 and its agenda
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 11 May – 14 June 2026 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: 11 May – 14 June 2026 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Lockhart Campus School Show, Stevenston, 13 May On 13 May, I was delighted to attend the fantastic performance of The Lion King by pupils and staff at Lockhart Campus. Excellent casting, fantastic costumes and of course great music. This is always a highlight that is so joyous and the excellent result is testimony to the keen involvement by the pupils and staff. Kirking of the Seventh Session of The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, 13 May On the evening of 13 May, it was a privilege to attend the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. It was a fine historic occasion in stunning historic architecture. This was also an opportunity to congratulate all the newly elected MSPs. Opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, 15 May On 15 May, Provosts from all over Scotland attended the opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. This annual event provided a welcome opportunity to meet old and new friends and discuss our work, comparing and sharing ideas. Cunninghame Choir Concert, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Beith, 17 May On 17 May, Cunninghame Choir held their “Life in Colour Concert” in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Beith. The concert was a triumph with a very challenging programme of a jazz mass and a selection of songs with a colour in the lyrics.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION ASIF IGNITE Welding Course Celebration, J&D Pierce, Beith, 18 May On 18 May, I revisited the ASIF IGNITE welding course at J&D Pierce to review the progress on past and present trainees. It was such an uplifting morning hearing of the benefits and changes to lives through such great opportunities to quality training. Ayrshire Lok Oi Association, Second Anniversary Celebration, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 18 May On 18 May, I attended the second anniversary celebration of the Ayrshire Lok Oi Association in the Volunteer Rooms, Irvine. The Association has been very successful in bringing together people from different ethnic minority communities and providing a welcoming and supporting environment for them. It was great to see so many people there and to hear about the work that they do. Provost Visit, North Ayrshire Netball Finals, St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats, 21 May On 21 May, I attended the North Ayrshire Netball Finals in St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats. It was a great pleasure to watch the play and present the awards. Well done to all that took part and special congratulations to Glencairn Primary School who won the trophy. Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band, 50th Anniversary Concert, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 22 May On 22 May, I attended Irvine and Dreghorn Brass Band’s 50th Anniversary Concert in the Volunteer Rooms, Irvine. The celebration was wonderful, players from P1 age to “much older” contributing to the joy of the occasion. The dedication and commitment of so many is highly commendable and an impressive legacy that the founders could barely have imagined. Scottish Young Musicians Solo Perfomer of the Year National Final, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, 24 May On 24 May, pupils from the 32 local authorities competed in the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year competition in Glasgow. The standard was very high, but it was great news when Jake Kenny won a Runner-Up Award. Jake’s remarkable journey from his first public performance just months ago to a national podium finish highlights both his dedication and natural talent. His success is a source of great pride for Garnock Community Campus and the wider North Ayrshire community.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Official Opening of EQUAL Garden, Lochshore, Kilbirnie, 27 May On 27 May, it was a real pleasure to formally open the EQUAL Specialist Employability Support (SES) garden at Lochshore. The feedback from team members, applicants and businesses was most impressive. There are very exciting plans for the future too. Provost Visit, Girls Festival of Football, Kilwinning Sports Club, 28 May On 28 May, I attended the Girls Festival of Football held at Kilwinning Sports Club. The event was inspiring and a joy to see. Great spirits and camaraderie on a wonderful sunny day and just the thing to stir interest and engage girls before this year’s World Cup. Commonwealth Baton Relay Arrival, Largs Marina Kilbirnie, 28 May On 28 May, I was delighted to welcome the North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton to Largs as it made its way over to Arran. North Ayrshire Active Schools Team arranged a programme of events across all localities which has engaged pupils in design and sport. The baton itself was designed by Sam from Arran High School and Kaitlyn from Ardrossan Academy whose creativity helped to bring the baton from sketches in art class to real life. Provost Visit, Gowanlea Day Services, Kilbirnie, 28 May On the afternoon of 28 May, I visited Gowanlea Day Services in Kilbirnie, ahead of Carers Week. The ever-welcoming staff and happy clients were very pleased to chat about the positive changes and the value of their care. 2026 North Ayrshire Leadership Graduation, Saltcoats Town Hall, 29 May On 29 May, I delivered the opening remarks at the North Ayrshire Leadership Graduation Ceremony in Saltcoats Town Hall. The event celebrated the achievements of a group of young people who have truly gone above and beyond in their schools and communities. Each graduate demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication and these qualities will undoubtedly support them as they move forward into positive destinations. Arran Pride, Brodick, Isle of Arran, 30 May I attended the 5th Arran Pride event in Brodick on 30 May. The event was full of colour and spectacle and enjoyed by many. Congratulations to the team behind the event for an excellent day of entertainment.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Community Windpower Family Open Day, Wind Farm, Dalry, 30 May On 30 May, Depute Provost Sweeney attended the Community Windpower Family Open Day in Dalry. The event was very well attended and various local community organisations were present. This was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative visit. Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society Exhibition, Heritage Centre, Saltcoats, 30 May On 30 May, Depute Provost Sweeney visited the Exhibition by Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society in the Heritage Centre, Saltcoats. On show was an extraordinary fine art facsimile of the Declaration of Arbroath, one of the most significant documents in Scotland’s history. The event explained the little-known and compelling connection between Ardrossan and the Declaration. The limited-edition piece is one of only seven in existence. Irvine Burns Club Founders Day, Old Parish Church, Irvine, 2 June On 2 June, Depute Provost Sweeney attended a special event marking the 200th anniversary of Irvine Burns Club. On this date in 1826 twelve men met and agreed to meet annually to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns. To mark the occasion Irvine Burns Club arranged for blue plaques to be installed at Irvine Old Parsh Church where eleven out of the twelve men are buried. Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Volunteer of the Year, Garnock Community Social Club, Kilbirnie, 6 June On 6 June, Depute Provost Sweeney attended the Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Volunteer of the Year Awards in Garnock Community Social Club. This was an excellent event highlighting the fantastic work of volunteers in the area. The Young Volunteer of the was Garry Caldwell (Café Solace), Volunteer of the Year was Caroline Kennedy (George Steven Centre), Organisation of the Year was Licht Up Oor Toon and Local Small Business of the Year was awarded to Relax at Rids. There were also two special recognition awards which were presented to Kilbirnie Library and the Garnock Valley Locality Team. Ayrshire Baby Loss Support Bi-Annual Duck Race, Eglinton Park, 14 June On 14 June, Depute Provost Sweeney attended the Ayrshire Baby Loss Support bi-annual Duck Race in Eglinton Park. The event highlighted the excellent work of this organisation, whose staff and volunteers are there for anyone facing the tragedy of losing a child. There were information stalls and children’s activities along with the duck race. The event was very well supported.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council