NAC 221214 ProvostsReport
North Ayrshire Council · 14 December 2022
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 14 December 2022 and its agenda
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PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 24 October – 4 December 2022 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: 24 October – 4 December 2022 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in several events, including: Opening of Roslin and Red Rose Houses, Stevenston, 28 October On 28 October, I performed the official opening of Red Rose House and Roslin House in Stevenston. These state-of-the-art respite facilities are sited adjacent to the Lockhart ASN and provide a comfortable, home from home experience for respite guests and are a much needed, valued and deserved break for families and carers. The Promise Conference, Town Hall, Saltcoats, 4 November On 29 September, the Depute Provost attended The Promise conference in Saltcoats Town Hall. The Promise is a 10-year programme launched in 2020 to support care-experienced children and young people. During the event the Depute Provost formally opened the Hasta Barista …coffee you’ll be back for, initiative delivered by young people and supported by NAHSCP. Remembrance Day, Irvine,11 November On 11 November at 11am we gathered at the War Memorial in Irvine to observe a two minute silence and remembered all those brave men and women who have lost their lives in conflict while serving their country. “Knox the Urban Fox” Book Launch, Kilbirnie Library, 12 November On 12 November, I was delighted to attend the “Knox the Urban Fox” book launch in Kilbirnie Library. Author Julie Morris and illustrator Tony Van Bruegel were present to meet guests and present their book. Proceeds from sales will go to the Stoneyholm Mill Trust who aim to restore a former 19th Century textile mill in Kilbirnie.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 Remembrance Sunday, 13 November On Remembrance Sunday our communities came together in services throughout North Ayrshire to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in wars and military conflicts since the onset of World War 1. I attended the service in Kilbirnie while the Depute Provost attended the services in Irvine and Stevenston. Ayrshire Cancer Support Presentation, Kilmarnock, 15 November On 15 November, Ayrshire Cancer Support were presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant at a special ceremony in Kilmarnock. The organisation has been serving the community for forty years supporting those affected by cancer and their families. I was delighted to attend the event and show our appreciation of all the work that they do. Brathwic Terrace Opening Ceremony, Brodick, Isle of Arran, 18 November On 18 November I was on the Isle of Arran to officially mark the opening of the Brathwic Terrace development. Representatives of all the partner organisations and new tenants were present. The Council has one of the most ambitious housebuilding programmes in the country. The 34 homes at this development have contributed towards the Council’s target of building 1,625 new homes across North Ayrshire by 2028. This £6.6m project was supported by £2.4m of Scottish Government grant funding and we are grateful that this funding has enabled us to deliver such a fantastic development. Kirking of the Council, Old Parish Church, Irvine, 20 November The traditional Kirking of the Council event took place on Sunday 20 November. This started with a procession from Irvine Town House followed by a service in Irvine Old Parish Church. The event was supported by various organisations within the Town and the parade was led by Zak Currie from Garnock Campus. Visit to Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum, Burns Club, Irvine, 21 November I visited Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum on 21 November. I was given a full tour of the facility and spoke with representatives from Irvine Burns Club and Irvine Lasses Burns Club. The visit highlighted some of the amazing work that is carried out in our local communities by volunteers.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 Raising the Flag to start 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women, Cunninghame House, Irvine, 25 November On 25 November, I, along with the representatives from North Ayrshire Violence Against women Partnership, raised the flag at Cunninghame House to mark the start of the 16 days of action campaign to end violence against women. Various events were organised highlighting the fact that domestic abuse will not be tolerated. The partnership brings together key partners who have a role in tackling gender-based violence and supporting those affected. DYW School Project Launch, Lockhart Campus, Stevenston, 25 November I was delighted to officially launch two Developing the Young Workforce innovative schools’ projects at Lockhart Campus, Stevenston on 25 November. One project was on Cyber Security and Computer Skills and the other on Cycle Safety and Maintenance. These initiatives aim to reduce youth unemployment and encourage better connectivity between education and the world of work. They are delivered with the support of North Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire College and of course the young people who benefit from developing their employability skills. Community Project Launch, Ardeer Centre, Stevenston, 25 November On the afternoon of 25 November in the Ardeer Centre, Stevenston, I launched one of three new innovative community projects developed by NAHSCP and the Developing Young Workforce Business Ambassador. The project named “Changing Room” aims to develop barista skills for service users within the Justice Service programme. The project will provide training and practical experience and the participants will obtain industry entry level qualifications. It is also hoped that this will further develop into a mini enterprise. DSM- Bovaer Ground Breaking Ceremony, Dalry, 30 November On 30 November I attended the ground breaking ceremony by the First Minister of Scotland marking the construction of a new plant at the DSM site in Dalry. I’m grateful to the workforce in Dalry for playing an integral part in convincing DSM globally that North Ayrshire, and Dalry in particular, was the best location to undertake an investment of this scale. Irvine Lasses Burns Club St Andrews’ Night Celebration, Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum, Irvine, 1 December On 1 December I attended the Irvine Lasses Burns Club St Andrew’s Night in Wellwood Burns Centre and Museum, Irvine. I am always inspired by the sense of community spirit and civic pride that surrounds Irvine and its deep-rooted history and traditions. These traditions are upheld by organisations like Irvine Lasses Burns Club who ensure that Irvine’s and indeed Scotland’s cultural heritage is in safe hands for future generations.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 DYW School Project Launch, Garnock Campus, Glengarnock, 2 December On 2 December, I was in Garnock Campus to officially launch a new innovative school’s project. The project is in the form of a community café incorporating barista, smoothie bar and practical cake craft. The project is supported by Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire, North Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire College. The project aims to give the participating young people additional skills to develop their employment prospects for the future. North Ayrshire Women’s Aid Car Procession, Irvine to Saltcoats, 3 December On 3 December as part of the 16 days of action to end violence against women, I took part in “Drive for Change “arranged by North Ayrshire Women’s Aid. This car procession left Cunninghame House and made its way to Saltcoats. I was only too happy in my role as Provost to highlight the campaign and get the message across to put an end to gender based violence. My thanks go to North Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership for the excellent work they do to tackle this serious issue and support victims. Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council