230215 ProvostsReportFinal
North Ayrshire Council · 15 February 2023
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 15 February 2023 and its agenda
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x PROVOST’S REPORT For the period covering: 5 December 2022 – 5 February 2023 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: 5 December 2022 – 5 February 2023 Since the last meeting of the Council, I have taken part in many events, including: North Ayrshire Carers’ Centre Christmas Lunch, Ardrossan, 7 December On 7 December, I attended North Ayrshire Carers’ Centre Christmas lunch in the Lauriston Hotel, Ardrossan. The guests at the lunch were all registered carers in North Ayrshire. The event gave me the opportunity to recognise the invaluable role these people play and the positive impact they have on those they care for and indeed to the team that provide support to them throughout the year. Garnock Christmas Concert, Garnock Campus, Glengarnock, 8 December On 8 December, I attended the annual Christmas Concert in Garnock Campus and was entertained with some excellent performances by our young people. I am always inspired by the sheer musical talent we have in our schools across North Ayrshire. Music Service Christmas Showcase Concert, Town Hall, Saltcoats, 11 December On 11 December, North Ayrshire Music Service staged their annual Christmas Concert in Saltcoats Town Hall showcasing some amazing performances from the junior strings through to the senior orchestra. The event highlighted the skill and dedication of all the young people who participated in this festive extravaganza, and also the skills of their tutors. Diamond Wedding Anniversary, Beith, 12 December Mr and Mrs Boyce from Beith celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary on 12 December. I was delighted to visit the couple on the day and pass on best wishes on behalf of the Council.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 2 Dalrymple Gardens Opening Event, Irvine, 12 December On 12 December we officially marked the completion of the Dalrymple Gardens development in Irvine. The former Dalrymple Court sheltered housing was replaced by 9 bungalows suitable for wheelchair users and a new sheltered housing complex comprising 24 homes. The 33 homes at this development have contributed towards the Council’s target of building 1,625 new homes across North Ayrshire by 2028. This £5.8m project was supported by £1.9m of Scottish Government funding. North Ayrshire Mental Health Commission- Final Showcase, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, 15 December On 15 December, I attended North Ayrshire Mental Health Commission’s Final Showcase in the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine. We received an insight into the research that had been carried out over the last year and heard first-hand accounts of those involved. It is always a pleasure to see and learn what interests our young people have, where they live and what makes them feel good about themselves. Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra- 40th Anniversary Concert, Town Hall, Ayr, 17 December On 17 December, I attended the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra’s 40th anniversary concert in Ayr Town Hall. The concert featured former players of the Orchestra over the past 40 years as well as members who have recently joined. The concert was excellent and featured musicians from throughout Ayrshire. Birthday Celebration, Community Centre, Barrmill, 19 December I attended Jean Gilbert’s birthday celebration in Barrmill Community Centre on 19 December. Jean has been at the heart of community life in Barrmill for many years. She is an inspiration to many of us and the voluntary work she does in her local community is admirable. Irvine Royal Academy Christmas Concert, Irvine, 19 December On the evening of 19 December, I thoroughly enjoyed Irvine Royal Academy’s Christmas Concert. The performances by the young people were excellent and enjoyed by all those who attended. The hard work and dedication of these young people, with the support from staff, certainly paid off.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 3 St Bridget’s Primary School Nativity, Kilbirnie, 22 December It was a joy to attend St Bridget’s Primary School Nativity on 22 December. The performances were superb and the children and staff made sure everyone had a wonderful time. Eglinton Burns Club Annual Dinner, Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine, 13 January Eglinton Burns Club held their Annual Dinner in the Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine on 13 January. The evening was very entertaining with fine musical performances and speakers for the traditional celebration of the birth of Robert Burns. My thanks to the Club president and members for the invitation to this established community celebration. We Make Music Instrument Libraries Day, Saltcoats Library, 26 January On 26 January, I visited Saltcoats Library where the Music Service were launching “We Make Music Instrument Libraries” in partnership with We Make Music Scotland. The aim of this initiative is to have musical instruments in public libraries across Scotland which can be borrowed by members of the public free of charge. Entertainment at the launch was provided by guitarists from local secondary schools and the North Ayrshire Chamber Strings Ensemble. Information on Retirement Day, Village Hall, West Kilbride, 26 January I visited West Kilbride Village Hall on 26 January while they were hosting an Information on Retirement Day. The event was well attended, and it was good to meet all those individuals and groups attending the event. This is another fitting example of the vibrant communities we have in North Ayrshire and the splendid work carried out by volunteers. Lockhart Campus, Official Opening Ceremony, Stevenston, 26 January On 26 January, I had the privilege of officially opening Lockhart Campus in Stevenston. I welcomed all those partner organisations who were involved in the planning, design and construction of the school and was able to thank them for their contribution. The performances by the young people from the school were amazing and they are to be congratulated for the work they themselves put into the very entertaining opening ceremony. Titanic Exhibition, Heritage Centre, Saltcoats, 27 January I attended the “Titanic” exhibition in the Heritage Centre, Saltcoats on 27 January. From construction in Belfast to her fateful maiden voyage, the exhibition featured interviews and a wide variety of artefacts including examples of the China dinner plates upon which the meals were served onboard the ship. The Exhibition is well worth a visit.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 4 Irvine Burns Club Annual Celebration, Volunteer Rooms, Irvine, 28 January On 28 January, I attended Irvine Burns Club’s Annual Celebration in the Volunteer Rooms, Irvine. This event is firmly established in Irvine’s calendar of events and had a great combination of musical entertainment and guest speakers. Kirking of the President-Elect of Irvine Burns Club and Wreath Laying Ceremony, Irvine, 29 January On the morning of 29 January, I attended the Kirking of Angus Middleton, president-elect of Irvine Burns Club in Old Parish Church, Irvine. This traditional ceremony was attended by a variety of local organisations from the Town. In the afternoon I laid a wreath on behalf of the Council at the Burns Monument on Irvine Moor. Afterwards at Wellwood Burns Centre, Angus Middleton accepted his chain of office and was installed as Club President. Adult Volunteer Recognition Awards, Whitlees Centre, Ardrossan, 31 January On 31 January, The Ayrshire Community Trust hosted their adult recognition awards ceremony in the Whitlees Centre, Ardrossan. The Council Leader and I were invited to present the awards. I was delighted to hear all about the marvellous work and learn of the number of hours carried out by some of the volunteers in our communities throughout North Ayrshire. Burns Supper, Dreghorn Primary School, Kilbirnie, 3 February The pupils from Primary 5/6 at Dreghorn Primary invited me along to their Burns Supper on 3 February. I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, filled with lovely food and great performances. The pupils were fantastic, and they put so much hard work into this traditional celebration.
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PROVOST’S REPORT • • • 5 Councillor Anthea Dickson Provost North Ayrshire Council