Agenda Contents
North Ayrshire Council · 27 March 2024
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 27 March 2024 and its agenda
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE North Ayrshire Council A Meeting of North Ayrshire Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Ground Floor, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 at 14:00 to consider the undernoted business. Meeting Arrangements - Hybrid Meetings This meeting will be held on a predominantly physical basis but with provision, by prior notification, for remote attendance by Elected Members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003. Where possible, the meeting will be live-streamed and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home. 1 Apologies 2 Declarations of Interest Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda. 3 Previous Minutes The accuracy of the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 14 February 2024 and the Special Meeting held on 28 February 2024 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copies enclosed). 4 Provost's Report Submit report by the Provost for the period covering 5 February 2024 - 17 March 2024 (copy enclosed). 5 Leader's Report Submit report by the Leader of the Council for the period covering 5 February 2024 - 17 March 2024 (copy enclosed).
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE 6 Minute Volume (issued under separate cover) Submit, for noting and for approval of any recommendations contained therein, the Minutes of Meeting of committees of the Council held in the period 20 November 2023 - 29 February 2024 (copy enclosed). 7 Appointment to Committee The Council is invited to consider a nomination, duly proposed and seconded, for Councillor S. Ferguson to be appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee. 8 North Ayrshire Ventures Trust Ltd Submit report by the Head of Service (Democratic) to appoint a new director to the Board of North Ayrshire Ventures Trust Ltd (copy enclosed). 9 Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services on the outcome of the statutory review of Polling Districts and Polling Places (copy enclosed). 10 Working Group on Local Representation Submit report by the Executive Director (Education and Communities) on the findings and recommendations of a short-life Working Group (copy enclosed). 11 Questions In terms of Standing Order 14, submit:- (1) a question by Councillor Marshall to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “The total number of Aggression and Violence incidents reported by Communities and Education Directorate for Quarter 3 increased from 270 in 2020 to 410 in 2021 and from 394 in 2022 to 563 in 2023 an increase of over 100% in 4 years. Why the huge increase and what is being done to protect staff?” (2) a question by Councillor Kerr to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Has the Leader of the Council met the Transport Minister since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, to discuss the Ardrossan Harbour project, and if so to ask for an update?"
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (3) a question by Councillor T. Ferguson to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “To ask the Cabinet portfolio-holder for Education how many primary and secondary schools in North Ayrshire have defibrillators?” (4) a question by Councillor McPhater to the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care in the following terms: “What is the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care’s response to the latest drug death figures?” (5) a question by Councillor Stephen to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “What provision does North Ayrshire Council have for children moving up to secondary school who require additional support for their education?” (6) a question by Councillor McLean to the Cabinet Member for Green Environment and the Economy in the following terms: “To the Cabinet Member what effect does he believe the continued or expanded use of fossil fuels will have on the environment, considering NAC’s climate emergency declaration?” (7) a question by Councillor Marshall to the Cabinet Member for Finance, in the following terms: “Kelio swipe card access is installed at both Bridgegate and Cunninghame House and generate a database of attendance by individual staff. How many staff have attended each of these offices? 1. One day a week 2. Two days a week 3. Three or more days a week What is the maximum possible daily attendance for each of these locations?” (8) a question by Councillor McLean to the Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and the Islands in the following terms: “To ask the Cabinet Member what provisions have been made to increase capacity within the housing department and specifically the team that deals with tenant disputes and anti-social behaviour?”
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (9) a question by Councillor T. Ferguson to the Cabinet Member for Education in the following terms: “To ask the Cabinet portfolio holder for Education if he believes digital inclusion for primary and secondary pupils is important? (10) a question by Councillor McLean to the Leader of the Council in the following terms: “Is North Ayrshire Council (including any specific departments or services, e.g. libraries etc.) in the process of, or considering becoming, a ‘Hate Crime Third Party Reporting Centre’? And if so, what risks does that open up the local authority to?” (11) a question by Councillor T. Ferguson to the Cabinet Member for Finance in the following terms: “To ask the Cabinet portfolio holder what the current civil contingency policy is for dealing with potential fires at battery energy storage systems (BESS)?” (12) a question by Councillor Marshall to the Cabinet Member for Green Environment and the Economy in the following terms: “There is a Phase 1 proposal to spend some £1.5 m to reduce the width of the North Promenade in Largs by 50% to incorporate a cycle track. 80% of the Ward 1 Members are opposed to this. There is also an ongoing consultation in relation to public toilet provision in Largs which may result in the closure of 80% of the toilets. 80% of the Ward 1 Members are opposed to this. Will the views of local Elected Members prevail?” 12 Motions In terms of Standing Order 15, submit:-
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (1) a motion by Councillor T. Ferguson, seconded by Councillor Billings, in the following terms: “That the Council: 1. welcomes the news from the UK government Spring Budget announcement that there will be an additional £48.5million in funding for local authorities in Scotland via the Barnett consequentials; 2. further notes that the Deputy First Minister of Scotland has said that this funding will only be passed onto those local authorities who agreed to freeze council tax in their 2024/25 budget proposals; and 3. asks that once the additional funding allocation has been announced for North Ayrshire, it is brought back to full Council so that all 33 Councillors can have an input into where best to spend this additional money.” (2) a motion by Councillor T. Ferguson, seconded by Councillor Marshall, in the following terms: “That the Council: 1. notes, that North Ayrshire Council recognises the long, proud, and safe delivery of low-carbon nuclear energy at Hunterston A and B stations; 2. further notes, that the UK government recently announced the largest expansion in nuclear power in 70 years with a focus being on the delivery of Small Modular Reactors; 3. understands, that North Ayrshire Council have declared a climate emergency and is actively developing policy towards delivering net- zero; 4. finally, asks that the Chief Executive Officer write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Minister for Nuclear asking them to consider Hunterston and Ardeer as future sites for emerging SMR development here in the UK; thereby protecting our excellent nuclear workforce and providing vital employment for generations to come.” (3) a motion by Councillor McPhater, seconded by Councillor Cullinane, in the following terms: “Council agrees to provide a £50 clothing grant to all eligible* 3- and 4- year-olds in Early Years during the 2024/25 school year, funded through a proportion of the £123,000 residual balance unallocated in the Council’s Cost of Living support fund. *based on the existing criteria for the school clothing grant.”
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE (4) a motion by Councillor McDonald, seconded by Councillor Cullinane, in the following terms: “Council instructs officers to work to implement expanded free school meals to all P6/7s for the 2024/25 Academic year, commencing August 2024, for those not currently eligible and the cost of up to £1.403m would be covered by utilising the Service Concession Council reserves.” (5) a motion by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Burns, in the following terms: “Council agrees the increasing rate of violence against public sector workers is unacceptable and therefore agrees to sign up to UNISON’s Violence at Work Charter. In recognition of the importance of the safety of employees, signing up to the Charter would mean that North Ayrshire Council has committed to: 1. A written violence and aggression at work policy, which is available to all staff, with a policy that also covers lone working. 2. Responsibility for implementing these policies lies with a senior manager. 3. Measures taken to reduce staff working in isolated buildings, offices or other work areas to a minimum. 4. Encouraging staff to report all violent incidents and they are told how to do this. 5. Collecting and monitoring data on violent incidents on a regular and ongoing basis. 6. Where they are in place, union safety reps are able to access this data and are consulted on solutions to issues relating to violence in the workplace. 7. Thorough risk assessments are conducted for staff placed in vulnerable situations. 8. Support pathways in place for staff who are victims of violence at work, so that they know where to turn for advice and support. 9. Training to ensure staff are aware of the appropriate way to deal with threatening situations. 10. Where appropriate, independent counselling services are available to staff who are the victims of violence at work.” 13 Urgent Items Any other items which the Provost considers to be urgent.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Webcasting Please note: this meeting may be filmed/recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site and available to view at https://north- ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home, where it will be capable of repeated viewing. At the start of the meeting, the Provost/Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed/recorded/live-streamed. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data collected during the webcast will be retained in accordance with the Council’s published policy, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site. Generally, the press and public seating areas will not be filmed. However, by entering the Council Chambers, using the press or public seating area or (by invitation) participating remotely in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and consenting to the use and storage of those images and sound recordings and any information pertaining to you contained in them for webcasting or training purposes and for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available to the public. If you do not wish to participate in a recording, you should leave the meeting. This will constitute your revocation of consent. If you have any queries regarding this and, in particular, if you believe that use and/or storage of any particular information would cause, or be likely to cause, substantial damage or distress to any individual, please contact dataprotectionofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE North Ayrshire Council Sederunt John Bell Timothy Billings Marie Burns Eleanor Collier Joe Cullinane Scott Davidson Anthea Dickson Stewart Ferguson Todd Ferguson Robert Foster Scott Gallacher Tony Gurney Alan Hill Cameron Inglis Margaret Johnson Amanda Kerr Christina Larsen Shaun Macaulay Jean McClung Nairn McDonald Matthew McLean Louise McPhater Davina McTiernan Tom Marshall Jim Montgomerie Ian Murdoch Donald Reid Donald L Reid Chloe Robertson Ronnie Stalker Angela Stephen John Sweeney Vacancy Chair: Apologies: Attending: