Provost Report
North Ayrshire Council · 12 February 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 12 February 2025 and its agenda
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OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 9 December 2024 – 2 February 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: 9 December 2024 – 2 February 2025 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Ayrshire Central Groundbreaking Event, Irvine, 11 December On 11 December, I attended a groundbreaking event to mark the start of the Council’s new housing development at Ayrshire Central in Irvine. The development will provide 202 new energy-efficiency general needs houses, amenity bungalows and homes suitable for wheelchair users. This is the largest housing development undertaken by the Council and continues the ambitious, affordable house building programme in North Ayrshire. Paul Mclennan MSP Minister for Housing attended the event. James Adams from RNIB also attended in recognition of the street being named Braille Gardens. Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums Christmas Event, Formal Dinner, Geilsland Country Estate, Beith, 16 December On 16 December, I attended the Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums Christmas Event in Beith. This event showcased the talented young musicians in the Garnock Valley, and it was a delight to listen to them. The group is continuing its journey to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to learn pipes and drums. Festive Winter Concert, Dalry Primary School, 18 December It was a memorable evening on 18 December at the Festive Winter Concert, in Dalry Primary School. The event featured the Junior and Senior Orchestras and the Training and Senior Concert Bands. The performances were of an extremely high standard and were carried out with great musical flair and ability. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Christmas Concert, Ayr Town Hall, 21 December On 21 December, I attended Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra’s Christmas Concert in Ayr Town Hall. This was a thoroughly enjoyable concert, which featured musicians from North, South and East Ayrshire. It was great to see the opportunities available to our young musicians to further their musical ambitions.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Development of Former Largs Police Station, Largs, 16 January On 16 January, I attended the completion of the development of twelve new amenity flats at the former Police Station in Largs. This £3m development, called John Stewart House, was supported by £1m of Scottish Government grant funding. This has provided vital accessible town centre housing for tenants. Official launch of Kilwinning Banking Hub, Main Street, Kilwinning, 17 January I was delighted to formally open the Banking Hub in Main Street Kilwinning on 17 January. The Banking Hub is a shared banking space. It provides a counter service, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions. It also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues. Eglinton Burns Supper, Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine, 17 January On the evening of 17 January, I attended the 64th annual, Eglinton Burns Supper in the Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine. It was a delightful occasion celebrating Burns’ work and friendship with talented speakers and performers. Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Kilbirnie, 22 January On 22 January, I visited Elinor and John Mitchell, at their home in Kilbirnie, on their 60th Wedding Anniversary. It was fascinating to hear their recollections of their life and times in the Garnock Valley. Irvine Burns Club Annual Celebration, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 25 January On 25 January, I attended Irvine Burns Club’s Annual Celebration in the Volunteer Rooms in Irvine. I proposed the toast to the President and members of the Club and highlighted the excellent work they carry out in the local community. Kirking of the President of Irvine Burns Club, Wreath Laying Ceremony and Installation of New President, Irvine, 26 January Local groups gathered at the Burns Monument on Irvine Moor on 26 January for a wreath laying ceremony and, I was happy to lay a wreath on behalf of the Council. Afterwards the gathering went to Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum where Donald Wilson was installed as President of the Club.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Cheviot Court Opening Ceremony, Irvine, 27 January On 27 January, I met with some of the residents at Cheviot Court, Irvine where we celebrated the completion of the refurbishment of the complex. All twenty-two homes have been extensively upgraded. St. Palladius Primary School Burns Supper, Dalry, 29 January I visited St. Palladius Primary School in Darly on 29 January as they were hosting their annual Burns Supper. It was heartening to see the pupils celebrate Robert Burns and the associated Scottish history. RNIB Scotland Braille 200 Parliamentary Reception, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, 29 January On 29 January, I attended a Parliamentary Reception in the Scottish Parliament to mark the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, and to celebrate the vital role is still plays for people with sight loss. Stuart McMillan MSP hosted the event, and we heard from a range of distinguished speakers including the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP, RNIB Chair Anna Taylor, French Consul General of Edinburgh and Glasgow Stephane Pailler, braille tutor Sue Marshall, and the accomplished blind harpist. Fiona Kyle. North Ayrshire Council were highlighted and thanked at the reception for being the first in the country to name a street after Louis Braille. Fr. Wille Boyd Thanksgiving Service, St. Mary’s Church, Irvine, 30 January On 30 January, I attended a special thanksgiving service to mark and celebrate Father Willie Boyd’s service to the community of Irvine which has spanned nearly thirty years. It was great to hear about Fr. Boyd’s time in Irvine and to acknowledge the positive impact he has had on the local community. Many well-wishers attended in a display of gratitude. Fr Willie Boyd, recently moved to the Parishes of Troon, Prestwick and Mossblown, Dreghorn Primary School Burns Supper, Dreghorn, 31 January Dreghorn Primary School held their annual Burns Supper on 31 January. It was a pleasure to attend and witness the pupils take part in this traditional celebration. A thoroughly enjoyable event with excellent performances from the pupils and great encouragement from support staff.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 OFFICIAL INFORMATION OFFICIAL INFORMATION Irvine Lasses Burns Club 50th Birthday Dinner, Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine, 1 February On 1 February, I attended Irvine Lasses Burns Club 50th Birthday Dinner in the Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine which included a great programme of entertainment, with a range of speakers and performances. It was a good opportunity to recognise the work of the Club and the contribution it makes to the community in Irvine. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council