Leaders 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 LEADER’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 Leader of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Anthony Gurney.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 1 Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 11 May – 14 June 2026 ARDROSSAN COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEETING, 13 May On 13 May, I attended an Ardrossan Community Stakeholder Group meeting held in the Ardrossan Civic Centre. Attendees received an update on the Ardrossan Campus project including site logistics and layout as well as activities undertaken in the past three months and activities planned for the next three months. There was also an update on community benefits. AYRSHIRE SKILLS INVESTMENT FUND INVITATION TO IGNITE WELDING CELEBRATION, 18 May On 18 May, together with North Ayrshire’s Provost, Anthea Dickson, I attended an event at J & D Pierce training academy in Beith, to celebrate trainees who have completed their welding courses with J & D Pierce. These training courses are part-funded by our Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF), which is part of our bigger Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD). Congratulations to all the trainees and of course to J & D Pierce who continue to support our young workforce into employment. ELECTED MEMBER BRIEFING – SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SCOTLAND ACT AND HOUSING ACQUISITION, 21 May On 21 May, I attended an all-Elected Member briefing delivered by the North Ayrshire Council Housing team on the Scheme of Assistance, Housing Scotland Act and Housing Acquisition. This was a helpful session which detailed information about the Housing Acquisition strategy which supports the local housing strategy by: - Supporting the Scottish Government's target to deliver 110,000 new affordable homes by 2032 by delivering the projects set out within the Strategic Housing Investment Plan - Deliver 1,666 new units of social housing in North Ayrshire by 2031 - Ensure that the Strategic Housing Investment Plan addresses current and future demographic needs - Increase the social housing supply by buying back former social housing
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 2 Official Information Official Information - Bring empty homes back into use through the buyback scheme - Consider opportunities to provide homes in and around our town centres My thanks to the Housing team for delivering this useful presentation and their continued work on delivering homes for our communities. ELECTED MEMBER BRIEFING – COMMUNITY EVENTS, 22 May On 22 May, I attended an all-Elected Member briefing entitled “Community Events” which was a useful session detailing information, including legal requirement, required to host any community event. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING, 28 May On 28 May, I attended an Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) where attendees discussed a packed agenda. This included a progress report on the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) up to the end of March 2026 and a report on the end of the financial year 2025/26 position. The Board were also updated on the development of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy (ARES) 2026-29 Delivery Plan, which sets out plans for delivery of regional economic development activity over the next three years to 2029. The Board were also briefed on the region’s proposals for the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund. The Board were also updated on progress with the Ayrshire and Our Islands Visitor Economy Strategy’s Year Three (2025/26) Action Plan. The Plan provides details of key priorities for 2026/27, including the Ayrshire International Visitor Growth project and ongoing collaborative working with Glasgow City Council.. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING, 28 May Following on from the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board meeting on 29 May, I attended a special meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC). The same points were covered as those discussed at the AEPB held on 28 May. Attendees received a progress report on the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) up to the end of March 2026 as well as an update on the financial position.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 3 Official Information Official Information This was followed by updates on the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy (ARES) 2026-29 Delivery Plan, the UK Government’s Local Growth Fund and the Ayrshire and Our Islands Visitor Economy Strategy’s Year Three (2025/26) Action Plan. COSLA LEADERS’, 29 May On 29 May, I attended a meeting of COSLA Leaders to discuss a packed agenda including the following items: - Anti-Racism Delivery Plan - Prison Population - UK Emission Trading Scheme and Household Waste Code of Practice - Local Government Finance Update - Distribution - Reducing Class Contact Time - Public Sector Reform - Community Planning Improvement Board - Councillor Severance North Ayrshire Council fully supports the Scottish Government’s ‘Anti-Racism Delivery Plan 2026 – 2030’. The delivery plan aims to build on a decade of work under the ‘Race Equality Framework for Scotland 2016 - 2030’, by focusing on practical delivery, stronger governance, and sustained partnership. The Council also supports the proposal by the Scottish Government to replicate the good practice established in the Gypsy/Traveller governance structures in the anti- racism work. This includes joint political oversight, and potentially the COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson co-chairing the Anti-Racism Ministerial Oversight Group and contributing to ‘community conversations’ events with Ministers. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING, 2 June On 2 June, I chaired a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board held in Fullarton Connexions. CPP Partners began with workshop sessions which included an update on the Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2025 which also included exploring opportunities for partnership working and support. There was also an update on Whole Family Support within the context of North Ayrshire CPP and the Local Outcomes Priority Plan (LOIP) Wellbeing priority, bringing together several
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 4 Official Information Official Information areas of work as well an overview of the learning from the first phase of the North Ayrshire Wellbeing Alliance. The meeting finished with Partner discussions and sharing of key developments as well as looking at opportunities for future collaborative working. NATIONAL YOUTH WORK AWARD WINNERS, 3 June On 3 June, two of North Ayrshire Council’s youth workers who work in the Garnock Valley, won the “Youth Worker of the Year” award at the National Youth Work Award ceremony hosted by YouthLink Scotland. I would like to pass on my congratulations to both winners, Aimee Mason and Jessica Parker who have done some fantastic work strengthening youth voice through forums and local decision-making and ensuring young people influence plans like Our Garnock Valley Place Plan. JOINT YOUTH CABINET, 9 June On 9 June, I chaired a meeting of the Joint Youth Cabinet held at Saltcoats Town Hall. As always, the session proved to be a useful discussion between North Ayrshire Council Cabinet members and young people representing our schools across North Ayrshire. The five themes for the Conversation Cafes were: • Alcohol & Drugs – This is about understanding young people’s experiences, knowledge and support around alcohol and drugs. Exploring what information works, what support is available and what needs to improve to help young people stay safe and informed. • Feeling Safe - Focuses on how safe young people feel in their communities and what impacts that. Discussing experiences, concerns, and ideas about reducing violence and anti-social behaviour and improving relationships with services like the police. • Child Poverty - This conversation is about exploring what poverty looks like for young people today and how it affects daily life, opportunities, and wellbeing. What changes could make a difference. • Youth Participation Future Strategy Themes - This theme is about the future of youth voice in North Ayrshire. How can young people be involved in decision-making, what methods work best and how we can strengthen participation opportunities.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 5 Official Information Official Information • Cyber Resilience – Looking at how young people experience online information. Exploring awareness of misinformation, how it spreads and what support or education would help young people feel more confident navigating the digital world. My thanks to all the young people who took part in this Joint Youth Cabinet and for their useful contribution in helping Cabinet make decisions that affect our young people and wider communities. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WHITE RIBBON FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT, 10 June On 10 June, I attended a pan Ayrshire football tournament held in Townhead Park Cumnock, East Ayrshire and co-organised by Police Scotland, the White Ribbon Steering Group and Violence Againt Women & Girls Partnerships. Partnerships from East, North and South Ayrshire have come together to collaborate on this initiative to educate and raise awareness on the issue of violence against women and girls, with the aim of engaging Ayrshire’s communities to pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls in all its forms. Police Scotland, in partnership with the local authorities, with excellent support from Education, invited all 23 secondary schools across Ayrshire to participate in a 5-a-side football tournament, involving senior pupils. As North Ayrshire Council Leader I have been a long-standing supporter of this important campaign and the values it represents so it was great to see the support shown on and off the pitch by all the young participants. Well done to all the organisers and those who took part. THREE TOWNS LOCALITY PARTNERSHIP MEETING, 10 June On 9 June, I attended a Three Towns Locality Partnership meeting held in the Ardrossan Civic Centre. Attendees were provided with updates on the Community Investment Fund (CIF) project by Ardrossan Winton Rovers. There was also an update by the North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership on their new Locality Planning Approach and consideration of partnership opportunities. The partnership also discussed and considered several grant applications made to the Community Benefit Fund from the following organisations: • McMillan Boxing • Ardeer Recreational Bowling Club
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 6 Official Information Official Information • Hayocks Community Association There was also discussion session on the new Locality Action Plan including discussion about tackling inequalities and community transport. The meeting finished with updates from the various Partners including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue, KA Leisure, Active Schools and Education. The Partnership will meet again on 2 September. 1ST TIER JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE & CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP MEETING, 11 June On 11 June, I attended 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 the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership. AYRSHIRE SHARED SERVICES JOINT COMMITTEE, 12 June On 12 June, I attended the first part of the hybrid Ayrshire Shared Services meeting to discuss the Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Plan and to update the Joint Committee on progress made on the 2026/27 Plan. The Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team has provided civil contingencies services on behalf of the three Ayrshire Councils since it was established in 2008. FINALLY On behalf of all the Elected Members, I would like to thank all the staff in North Ayrshire Council and our community partners for their invaluable work since the start of 2026 and for their continued support in helping to deliver on a range of Council priorities. I hope many of you will be able to enjoy a holiday or rest over summer recess and look forward to working with you again later in the year.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 7 Official Information Official Information Councillor Anthony Gurney Leader of North Ayrshire Council