240214 ProvostReportFinal
North Ayrshire Council · 14 February 2024
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 14 February 2024 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: 4 December 2023 – 4 February 2024 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: 4 December 2023 – 4 February 2024 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Reclaim the Night, Women’s Aid Hub, Saltcoats, 5 December On 5 December, along with colleagues on the Council and Chief Officers, I participated in “Reclaim the Night”, which took place in Saltcoats. There was a great a turnout at the event which highlighted the dangers to women and girls from violence and promoted a safer environment for women and girls to walk without fear after dark. Reclaim the Night is part of the global 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Inside Outside Exhibition, Kilwinning Community Fire Station, 6 December On 6 December, as part of the 16 days of Activism campaign, I along with colleagues attended the “Inside Outside” Exhibition in Kilwinning Community Fire Station. Inside Outside was developed by Encompass, a network of services and agencies working across Scotland with those involved in the sex industry. The Exhibition, featured art, photography, video and audio installations by women who have worked in or are currently working in this industry. The event raised awareness of this exploitation and provide information on how it is being tackled. Irvine Lasses Burns Club, St. Andrew’s Night Celebration, 7 December I was delighted to attend Irvine Lasses Burns Club, St Andrew’s Night Celebration on 7 December, in Wellwood Burns Club and Museum in Irvine. This popular annual event provides traditional entertainment to mark St. Andrew’s Day. Events like these highlight our vibrant communities and shine a light on the volunteers who work so hard behind the scenes. Foster Carers Christmas Coffee Morning, Fullarton Connexions, Irvine, 8 December On 8 December, I attended the Foster Carers’ Christmas Coffee Morning, which was held in Fullarton Connexions, Irvine. Arranged by our Families for Children Team the event allowed us to express our thanks to North Ayrshire’s Foster Carers for the excellent work they carry out throughout the year.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 West Kilbride Community Initiative Ltd, 25 Year Celebration, Barony Centre, West Kilbride, 12 December On 12 December, the Depute Provost attended West Kilbride Community Initiative Limited’s 25-year celebration in the Barony Centre, West Kilbride. The event celebrated the work and achievements of the Group over the past 25 years, and in particular, the positive impact it has had on the Village and the number of volunteers past and present who are at the heart of it all. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Christmas Concert, Ayr Town Hall, 16 December On 16 December, I attended the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra Christmas Concert in Ayr Town Hall. This was the first concert that featured the intake of over twenty young musicians who recently joined the Orchestra. This was an excellent evening’s entertainment with many young musicians coming from North Ayrshire. Kilwinning Community Fire Station Christmas Grotto, Kilwinning, 17 December On 17 December, I visited the Christmas Grotto in Kilwinning Community Fire Station. The Grotto was arranged to bring a little festive cheer to the local community whilst raising funds for the Firefighter’s Charity. I also got the opportunity to thank the firefighters who in their own time arranged this excellent community event. Afton Court Opening Ceremony, Stevenston, 12 January On 12 January, It was a great pleasure to officially open North Ayrshire’s Council’s latest housing development. The innovative new homes at Afton Court, Stevenston replaced the former sheltered housing in the Town. The new development consisted of six new amenity bungalows which were constructed using cutting-edge and environmentally friendly techniques. Visit to Green Home Systems, Irvine, 12 January On 12 January, along with the Leader of the Council and the portfolio holder, I visited Green Home Systems, that are based in Irvine. They are a family business specialising in domestic energy efficiency providing effective insulation, heating, renewable energy systems and charge point installation services. The business has won numerous awards for their work in the field of Energy Efficiency both in Scotland and within the UK. Their most recent award was for the British Chamber of Commerce UK Planet Saver Award.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 Film Showing, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 20 January I attended the film premiere of “Different Ways” in the Harbour Arts Centre Irvine on 20 January. This is a peer led project arranged via the community group Vertex and supported by the Council’s New Scots Team. The young new Scots from Ukraine and Syria wrote, filmed, edited and produced the film. There was also some behind the scenes footage where the young people discussed their experiences in making the film and the impact it had on them. I was bowled over by the content of the film, the excellent performances and the personal accounts from the young people. Irvine Burns Club Digital Project Unveiling, Irvine, 24 January On 24 January, I attended the unveiling of the first phase of the Digital Burns Museum at Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum in Irvine. This project is a collaboration between Irvine Burns Club and Booth Welsh, combining the in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm of the Club with the advanced technical knowledge of Booth Welsh. By bringing Burns' works into the digital age, everyone, young and old, can experience his contributions in a more interactive and contemporary way. Irvine Royal Academy – Lessons from Auschwitz, Irvine, 26 January On 26 January, I visited Irvine Royal Academy, for an excellent presentation on the Holocaust by pupils who have taken part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons for Auschwitz Project. This was a moving account by the young people, which increased their knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust and made real by seeing the camps, personal effects and hearing testimony from a Jewish lady who, although never experienced life in a camp, endured all the great hardship of those held in a ghetto. Irvine Burns Club Annual Celebration, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 27 January On 27 January, I attended Irvine Burns Club’s 197th Annual Celebration, which was held in the Volunteer Rooms, Irvine. The event was thoroughly enjoyable and was a fitting tribute to Robert Burns. The great speakers and performances highlighted our rich cultural history and community spirit. Kirking of the President Elect of Irvine Burns Club, Old Parish Church, Irvine, 28 January On the morning of 28 January, Irvine’s civic organisations gathered for the traditional Kirking of the President-Elect of Irvine Burns Club in the Old Parish Church. Occasions like these
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 maintained by volunteers, highlight the continuity of work they carry out in their local community. North Ayrshire Table Tennis Competition, St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats 28 January Also on 28 January, I visited the North Ayrshire Table Tennis Open Competition is St Matthew’s Academy, Saltcoats. The North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club is one of North Ayrshire’s success stories. Established ten years ago they have encouraged countless young people and adults to take up the sport. The competition itself attracted many competitors from throughout Scotland. Wreath Laying Event and installation of the new President of Irvine Burns Club, Irvine Moor then Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum, Irvine, 28 January On the afternoon of 28 January, I attended the wreath laying ceremony at the Burns Statue on Irvine Moor where I laid a wreath on behalf of the Council to commemorate the birth of Robert Burns. Afterwards, I went along to Wellwood Burns Centre where Iain McPhail was installed as the new President of Irvine Burns Club and Stephen Quigg Vice-President. St Palladius Primary School Burns Supper, Dalry, 31 January I attended the Burns Supper at Palladius Primary School on 31 January, which was led by the P7 pupils. All other years also took part with recitals and dance. Well done to the organising team for arranging this outstanding event. Dreghorn Primary School Burns Supper, Dreghorn, 2 February On 2 February, I was invited by the P6 pupils of Dreghorn Primary School to attend their Burns Supper. I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon where I was treated to some excellent traditional music and recitals.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council