231213 ProvostReportFinal
North Ayrshire Council · 13 December 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 13 December 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 23 October – 3 December 2023 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 PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 23 October – 3 December 2023 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: “New and Unusual” Exhibition Opening, Heritage Centre, Saltcoats, 26 October On 26 October, I was delighted to officially open the “New and Unusual” exhibition in the Heritage Centre, Saltcoats. The exhibition gave visitors the rare opportunity to see a fascinating collection of artefacts altogether under the one roof, a real eclectic mix of North Ayrshire’s history. Ayrshire Tri-Services Awards Ceremony, Grand Hall, Kilmarnock, 26 October On 24 June, I attended the Ayrshire Tri-Services Awards Ceremony. The ceremony recognised the excellent work carried out by staff from PoliceScotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Skills Academy Launch, Largs Academy, 27 October On 27 October, the Lord Lieutenant Iona McDonald and I launched three skills projects at Largs Campus. These were: Barista Skills - Livin’ La Vida Mocha; Digital Media and Photography - Learning through a Lens and Events Management – LA Events. These projects are supported by Developing Young Workforce Ayrshire and give those participating additional skills and knowledge, preparing them for future employment. 40th AGM of Scottish Maritime Museum Trust, Irvine, 27 October On the afternoon of 27 October, I attended the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Scottish Maritime Museum Trust in Irvine. Afterwards, there were short presentations on the past, present, and future of the Museum from key staff and volunteers.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 377th Annual Celebration (Big Pie) Irvine Incorporated Trades, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 27 October On the evening of 27 October, I attended the Big Pie hosted by Irvine Incorporated Trades in the Volunteer Rooms. I heard from many interesting speakers celebrating the town’s rich history. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Concert, Kilwinning, 28 October On 28 October, I attended the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Concert in Kilwinning Abbey. The Concert was excellent, and I am always impressed by the talented fiddlers we have in Ayrshire, some of whom are from North Ayrshire. The Orchestra toured America this year giving the musicians a wonderful opportunity to perform on a larger stage to a different audience while promoting Ayrshire at the same time. Employability Awards, Saltcoats Town Hall, 2 November On 2 November, the Leader of the Council and I presented the prizes at the first ever Employability Awards in Saltcoats Town Hall. The ceremony celebrated the success of the Council’s employability programmes. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, it was inspiring listening to everyone’s stories. District Scouting Annual Presentation, Saltcoats Town Hall, 3 November It was a pleasure to attend North Ayrshire and Arran Scouts awards evening which took place in Saltcoats Town Hall on 3 November. It was great to hear about the achievements of the young people and I was delighted to do the presentations to the adult volunteers. These amazing leaders give up their free time to give experiences and deliver activity programmes for our young people. Young Musician of the Year, Irvine Royal Academy, 7 November On 7 November, I attended the Young Musician of the Year event in Irvine Royal Academy. This was great evening of entertainment, and the pupils were amazing. The support staff did a fantastic job in allowing the pupils to be all they can be.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 Launch of The Mount Project, Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn, 8 November I attended the launch of The Mount Project in Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn on 8 November. The Irvine Locality Team in partnership with Greenwood Academy are piloting a series of approaches to education within a community setting tackling several issues found in education today. This includes better engagement with non-attenders to improve attendance and attainment, engaging more with the local community and forming stronger links with the third sector and businesses. It was interesting to hear from the young people how improvements have already been made in their engagement and attendance while using the Community Centre. Armistice Day Service, Watson Memorial Garden, Irvine, 11 November On 11th November at 11am a service was held, and a two-minute silence observed in Watson Memorial Garden in Irvine. Several local organisations, members of the public and several of my colleagues on the Council attended the event to pay their respects to the fallen and mark the armistice signed by Britain and its allies with Germany which brought WW1 to an end. Remembrance Sunday, 12 November On 12 November communities throughout North Ayrshire, gathered to remember the service and the sacrifice made by all those who have lost their lives in various wars. I attended the parade and service in Irvine and the Depute Provost attended services in Saltcoats and Stevenston. Many local organisations and members of the public attended these events to pay tribute to the fallen and those serving in our Armed Forces and their families. Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain Scottish Branch, Annual Luncheon, Glasgow, 17 November On 17 November, the Depute Provost attended the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, Scottish Branch, annual luncheon. This was a good opportunity for fairground operators to network and to hear about how fairgrounds impact on our local community and contribute to the economy. Cunninghame Choir Concert, Beith Community Centre, 19 November On 19 November, I attended and thoroughly enjoyed “Winter Across the Atlantic”, Cunninghame Choir’s latest concert held in Beith Community Centre. The concert highlighted the talent of the participants and is a fitting example of the vibrant communities we have in North Ayrshire.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 Carers Rights Day, West Kilbride Village Hall, 23 November On 23 November. On Carers Right Day, I attended a celebration event in West Kilbride Village Hall along with our Carers’ Champion. The event highlighted and promoted the rights of unpaid carers across North Ayrshire. The collective recognition of the day allowed carers to connect with others in similar situations. It was also a terrific opportunity to thank unpaid carers throughout North Ayrshire for marvellous job that they do. Ayrshire Area Support Team Reception, Irvine Townhouse, 23 November On 23 November, in Irvine Townhouse, I hosted a reception in recognition of the volunteers serving on the Ayrshire Area Support Team. Provost Todd from East Ayrshire Council and Councillor William Grant from South Ayrshire Council joined me to thank all the AST members for the amazing contribution they have made to the lives of others. We also got the opportunity to thank former Area Convener Erica Edwards and Depute Area Convener Alan Corbett who have dedicated a substantial part of their lives to improving the lives of others. 16 Days of Action Campaign, Cunninghame House, 24 November On 24 November, I raised the White Ribbon Flag at Cunninghame House to mark the start of the 16 Days of Action Campaign. The campaign runs from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (also known as White Ribbon Day) to Human Rights Day on December 10. I also attended a conference in Kilmarnock on 28 November where the three Violence Against Women Partnerships organised a Pan Ayrshire Practitioner event to explore and focus on how we can better support women involved in the selling or exchanging of sex within Ayrshire. Women and girls, regardless of their background or where they live, can feel isolated and restricted when it comes to getting help and advice. We need to make sure women and girls know how to access services and empower them to ask for help where there is a risk of domestic violence. The North Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership brings together partners that have a role in tackling gender-based violence and supporting those who are affected. It includes the Council and representatives from partner organisations including North Ayrshire Women's Aid, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Ayrshire Hospice Light Up a Life Campaign, Bridgegate, Irvine, 30 November On 30 November, I was joined by staff from the Ayrshire Hospice to promote their Light Up a Life Campaign. This annual campaign gives the public the opportunity to remember the life of someone special by dedicating a star on one of the Hospice’s online memory trees. This appeal raises much needed funds for such a worthwhile cause.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 “Hystayria” Production, Harbour Arts Centre, 30 November On 30 November, as part of the 16 Days of Action Campaign, I attended the showing of “Hystayria, a thought-provoking drama based on the real stories of Ayr’s barbaric witch trials. This was followed by a question-and-answer session with the cast and crew, generating discussion regarding violence against women. The Kindness Mural Project, Dalry Community Garden, 1 December On 1 December, I was delighted to officially reveal the Kindness Mural in Dalry Community Garden along with our Mental Health Champion. The Bee You Ambassadors and Project Delivery Officer in Mental Health and Wellbeing have worked with Garnock Valley Youth Forum and Dalry Community Gardens to get this project off the ground. The Kindness Mural Project is an environmental enhancement that promotes visual wellness and give signposting opportunities to Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Mapping. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council