230329 Provost Report
North Ayrshire Council · 29 March 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 29 March 2023 and its agenda
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PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 6 February – 19 March 2023 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Provost of North Ayrshire Council, Anthea Dickson.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 1 PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 6 February – 19 March 2023 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Afton Court Groundbreaking Ceremony, Stevenston, 6 February On 6 February, I was delighted to officially mark the start of construction work on the new development in Stevenston. This will see the creation of one and two-bedroom homes on the site of the former Afton Court Sheltered Housing Unit. The £1.3 million development is expected to be completed in late summer. Burns Art Competition, Dalry Primary School, 7 February On 7 February, I had the privilege of judging the Burns Art Competition in Dalry Primary School. The entries were very impressive, and the young people got the opportunity to show their artistic skills while learning about our National Bard, Robert Burns. Beith Community Trust Awards, Geilsland Estate, Beith, 10 February I attended the Beith Community Trust Awards in Geilsland Estate on 10 February. It was great to see so many individuals recognised for the tremendous work they carry out in their local community. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge the work and ambitions of the Board and members of the Trust. Ministerial Visit, Lochshore Community Hub, 13 February On 13 February, Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth visited Lochshore Community Hub. I was delighted to welcome the Minister and show what an incredible facility we have in the Garnock Valley. Since officially opening late last year, the Lochshore Park Hub has already proven to be a popular destination for local residents and visitors alike. Not only is it an attractive, vibrant facility but as we move on to the next stages of its development, the benefits it provides will become even greater. This would not have been possible without close collaboration with the local community who have been integral to its development from the initial stages.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 North Ayrshire Young Instrumentalist of the Year and Young Singer of the Year Competition, Ardrossan Academy, 15 February On 15 February, I attended the North Ayrshire Young Instrumentalist of the Year and the Young Singer of the Year Competition held in Ardrossan Academy. The event was a great success, with some excellent performances. The dedication of all the performers was admirable and they are all great ambassadors for the youth of North Ayrshire. There is also a great support network in the background from teachers and support staff who inspire these young people to perform confidently with great ability and flair. Beith Community Trust Ceilidh, Geilsland Estate, Beith, 17 February Beith Community Development Trust held a fundraising ceilidh on 17 February in support of the Garnock Campus Parent Council and the Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums Trust, a project which provides free piping and drumming tuition to young people residing in the Garnock Valley. I was happy to go along and support both causes that do so much for the young people of the Garnock Valley. Opening of “Doon the Beach”, Stevenston, 18 February On 18 February, I attended the official opening of Doon the Beach Community Café and Hub in Stevenston. This is an excellent community driven project by Raise Your Voice Ardeer. This project will not only create jobs but hopefully encourage many visitors to the beach area. The work that has gone on behind the scenes over the last few years by volunteers has been admirable and the opening of this marvellous facility is testament to this work. North Ayrshire Traditional Musician of the Year Competition, Ardrossan Academy, 22 February I attended the North Ayrshire Traditional Musician of the Year Competition, in Ardrossan Academy on 22 February. This was another successful event with amazing performances from our talented young people who represent schools throughout North Ayrshire. Opening of Clyde Coast and Cumbrae Men’s Shed, Brisbane Centre, Largs, 4 March On 4 March, I was delighted to officially open the Clyde and Cumbrae Men’s Shed at the Brisbane Centre, Largs, with David Gardner, Chairman of the Scottish Men’s Shed Association. Men’s Sheds are a crucial pillar of our community, at the forefront of the Council’s priority to build active and strong communities while ensuring our people enjoy good life-long health and wellbeing. The group has been hugely successful in the challenge of establishing a
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 facility to the highest of standards. The project is a fitting example of the marvellous work carried out by volunteers in our local community in partnership with the Council. International Women’s Day Walk, Saltcoats and Ardrossan, 8 March International Women’s Day is a day celebrating the achievements of women and gender equality throughout the World. On 8 March, I joined the North Ayrshire Women’s Aid in their walk through Saltcoats and Ardrossan to highlight issues faced by women today and to celebrate the achievements of others. The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, McIlvanney Campus, Kilmarnock, 12 March On 12 March, I attended the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships in Kilmarnock and a reception hosted by the Provost of East Ayrshire Council. Young people from all over Scotland attended, and it was good that we had representation from Ardrossan, Largs and Arran. I was pleased to be there to give them support. There were many great performances and I was delighted and proud that the Isle Arran Schools Pipe Band were winners of the Eilidh MacLeod Endeavour Award. Provost’s visit to Millport Town Hall, 15 March I visited Millport Town Hall on 15 March as phase one of the renovation works nears completion. It was good meeting with the Chair and volunteers of the charity. They have done a superb job of breathing new life into the town. It is so inspiring to see this type of community empowerment in action and it has been a privilege to speak to some of the team behind the most recent developments which include a new accessible entrance, the creation of multi-use flexible spaces which are to be used to host vibrant community events and clubs. Well done to everyone involved, this project really is a triumph of which the whole community should be so proud. I look forward to seeing the second phase of the Heritage and Conservation Centre coming to fruition over the coming months.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council