240327ProvostReportFinal
North Ayrshire Council · 27 March 2024
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 27 March 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: 5 February – 17 March 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: 5 February – 17 March 2024 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: Nethermains Groundbreaking Event, 5 February On 5 February, I was delighted to be joined from pupils from Blacklands Primary School to perform the groundbreaking ceremony at the former landfill site at Nethermains. This site and the site at Shewalton, have been identified as locations for ground mounted solar photovoltaic farms. The two projects are expected to be complete, commissioned and generating clean, green energy by end of the year. Scottish Youth Parliament Announcement Evening, Saltcoats Town Hall, 5 February On the evening of 5 February, I was in Saltcoats Town Hall where the announcement was made on who would be serving on the Scottish Youth Parliament. Within North Ayrshire we have four young people who are local representatives of the Scottish Youth Parliament, two for the Cunninghame North Constituency and the other two for the Cunninghame South Constituency. The Scottish Youth Parliament are a youth-led organisation where young people aged 14-25, from all over Scotland, represent the views of young people within their constituencies. Congratulations to Adam Johnson, Rhyan Gorrie, Emma Burns and Freya Fitzsimmons and I wish them well for their term of office. 'Kindness Murals' Tree-planting with BeeYou Mental Health Ambassadors, Eglinton Community Gardens, Kilwinning, 9 February On 9 February, I teamed up with North Ayrshire’s BeeYou (Mental Health Ambassadors) and Climate Change Ambassadors in Eglinton Community Gardens to plant a new community time capsule and orchard. It was great to see the hard work and determination of our climate- conscious and mentally aware young people. The idea of the time capsule as a key design element in this new outdoor community space, was introduced so that each of the young people involved could have the chance to anonymously share their own experiences, fears and aspirations for future generations. It is hoped that the new trees will contribute towards a brighter, greener and more mentally resilient environment for all.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 Judging of Burns Art Exhibition, Dalry Primary School, 19 February On 19 February, I visited Dalry Primary School to help select the winners at their Burns Art Exhibition. There was so much talent and enthusiasm, it was an absolute pleasure to judge but also a very tough job. A splendid example of how Burns can be enjoyed, not just in recitation, but also through art. The excellent project involved the whole school. Beat the Street Launch, St. Bridget’s Primary School, Kilbirnie, 20 February I attended the ‘Beat the Street” launch at St. Bridget’s Primary School in Kilbirnie, on 20 February. Our Active Travel Team worked hard to bring this interactive community game to North Ayrshire, which was playable for six weeks in the Garnock Valley, Three Towns and on the Isle of Arran. The challenge was to score as many points as possible for you and your team while walking, cycling and wheeling in the local area. North Ayrshire Young Musician of the Year, Saltcoats Town Hall, 21 February On 21 February, the best musical talent from our secondary schools came together for the Young Musician of the Year competition in Saltcoats Town Hall. The standard of each performance was amazing, showing the impressive capability of the performers and highlighting the breadth of musical tuition available to support their musical development. The worthy winner, Liam McGrath, now goes on to represent North Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year. Newhouse Drive, Kilbirnie and Laburnum Avenue, Beith, Groundbreaking Event, 27 February On 27 February, I was delighted to mark the commencement of works across four sites at Newhouse Drive, Kilbirnie, and Laburnum Avenue, Beith. The new developments will deliver seven modern, energy efficient homes in each town. Marie Curie Cancer Care, Day of Reflection Photocall, Saltcoats, 29 February On 29 February, I visited the Marie Curie Cancer Care Shop in Saltcoats to support the Marie Curie Day of Reflection which took place on Sunday 2 March. The aim was to encourage as many people as possible to take a moment out of their day to think about anyone who lost their life during the pandemic. This was the end-of-life charity’s fourth Day of Reflection, and as well as remembering everyone who died during the pandemic – regardless of the cause – it also aims to support the bereaved and help connect families, friends, colleagues and communities.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 North Coast and Cumbrae Men’s Shed, First Anniversary Event, Largs, 2 March I visited the North Coast and Cumbrae Men’s Shed on their first anniversary on 2 March in the Brisbane Centre, Largs. It was great to hear from the members on all the activity the has been happening over the last year and how this is contributing to the improvement of men’s mental health and wellbeing in the local area. Planting of tree to mark The King’s Coronation Eglinton Park, Kilwinning, 4 March On 4 March, I joined the Lord Lieutenant for Ayrshire and Arran, Iona McDonald and the Ground Force Volunteers to plant a tree, in Eglinton Country Park, to commemorate King Charles’ coronation. Local authorities across the UK also took part in this initiative which reflects the King’s love for nature and the environment. Barnett Court Official Opening Ceremony, Saltcoats, 5 March On 5 March, I attended the official opening ceremony of Barnett Court in Saltcoats. This sheltered housing complex has been refurbished as part of the Sheltered Housing Reprovisioning Programme. The site contributes to the regeneration of North Ayrshire and continues the significant investment the Council are making to provide housing for older people. International Women’s Day, North Ayrshire Women’s Aid, Saltcoats, 8 March On 8 March, in celebration of International Women’s Day, I, along with colleagues attended a special event arranged by North Ayrshire Women’s Aid in Saltcoats. This is a global initiative celebrating the achievements of women and highlighting the issues facing women on a day-to- day basis. Ordination Mass of Bishop of Galloway, Church of St. Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossan, 9 March On 9 March, I attended the Ordination of the new Bishop of Galloway, the Right Reverend Francis Dougan in the Church of St. Peter-in-Chains in Ardrossan. The service was an incredibly happy and uplifting occasion, and it was a pleasure to meet the new Bishop.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 The Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, William McIlvanney Campus, Kilmarnock, 10 March I attended the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships in Kilmarnock on 10 March. Young people from all over Scotland competed in the event which is now in its tenth year. I was delighted to see young people from the Isle of Arran and Ardrossan Academy taking part in this prestigious event. Provost’s Visit, Discovery Award Group, Kilwinning Library, 11 March On 11 March, I visited Kilwinning Library where the Discovery Award Group were meeting. The discovery awards are for the over fifties and are a fantastic way to elevate your interest and take on new challenges. It was great to meet this very inspirational group on the day when some received their bronze certificates. Cafeccino Launch, Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn, 15 March On 15 March, I was delighted to launch the Cafeccino Project in Townend Community Centre, Dreghorn. This DYW Ayrshire funded cafe will be operating in the Centre and is run by pupils from Greenwood Academy in partnership with Connected Communities. This is a notable example of partnership working and gives our young people additional skills making them better equipped when seeking employment. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council