Leaders Report
North Ayrshire Council · 16 September 2026
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 16 September 2026 and its agenda
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Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 15 June – 6 September 2026 The attached report gives a summary and brief details to Council, of meetings and events attended by the Leader of North Ayrshire Council, Councillor Anthony Gurney.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 1 Official Information Official Information LEADER’S REPORT For the period covering: 15 June – 6 September 2026 AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SUB COMMITTEE AYRSHIRE SKILLS INVESTMENT FUND, 15 June On 15 June, I attended an online meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC) Sub Committee Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF). ASIF is part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD), aiming to enhance skills for innovation and inclusive growth, boosting Ayrshire’s economy and creating lasting job opportunities. The Sub Committee were asked to consider various proposals for grant awards for 2025/2026. ASIF launched in October 2023 with £3.5 million provided to address skills gaps, aiming to upskill 1,000 residents by 2028 in engineering, digital, visitor economy and clean growth, focusing on priority groups including females, young people, people in low-paid employment, people with long-term disabilities and health conditions. The Sub Committee were also provided with an update on the IGNITE Industry Course and an update on the ASIF Employer Grant. HIGHVIEW MEETING, 17 June On 17 June, together with North Ayrshire Council (NAC) Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy Councillor Eleanor Collier, Chief Executive Craig Hatton and Director for Regional Economy, Louise Kirk, I met with the senior team of Highview Power. Highview Power is a solutions-led energy infrastructure business that develops technologies that help power grids around the world transition to net zero. As the UK, and other countries, transition to clean energy systems, the need to store electricity has grown. Long duration energy storage (LDES) has evolved as one of the most important supporting technologies in the energy transition. Hunterston will be the site of Highview’s first “Millennium Series” hybrid, grid stability and long duration energy storage platform. Built in two phases, it will operate to provide stability services to the grid from 2027, essential to enable utilization of renewable energy. The site at Hunterston PARC is designated as a Strategic Development Area in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4 and forms a key part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD).
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 2 Official Information Official Information NORTH AYRSHIRE COMMONWEALTH BATON RELAY CLOSING CEREMONY, 18 June On 18 June I attended a ceremony to celebrate the North Ayrshire Commonwealth Baton relay leg coming to an end. Held at Irvine Royal Academy, the event celebrated the participants who took part and those who organised the event, including members from our NA Active Schools Team. Well done to everyone who took part and for sharing their enthusiasm with everyone who attended to show their support as the baton made its way through North Ayrshire. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD SPECIAL MEETING, 22 June On 22 June, I attended a special meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) where attendees discussed the Draft Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) Annual Report (April 2025 – March 2026). Board members were asked to note progress of the accumulative activities from the date of AGD signing (19 November 2020) to 30 March 2026. This includes a report on the end of the financial 2025/26 year position. The Ayrshire Growth Deal Annual Report is an annual requirement from UK Government and Scottish Government laid out in the Grant Offer Letter and is an opportunity to share progress with members and other stakeholders. It also provides a baseline for discussions with the Government at the Annual Conversation. The last Annual Conversation took place in March 2026, with an expectation of the next one being undertaken in the new year. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING, 22 June Following on from the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board special meeting on 22 June, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC). The same points were covered as those discussed at the AEPB held on 22 June, including a report on the 2025/26 financial year end position. Attendees also received a progress report on the various projects which form part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 3 Official Information Official Information 1000th NEW HOME BUILT IN NORTH AYRSHIRE, 25 JUNE On 25 June, I visited the new housing development at the old Garnock Academy in Kilbirnie to mark the completion of North Ayrshire Council’s 1000th newly built home. This landmark achievement came as the first tenants started moving into the brand-new development of 50 modern and energy-efficient homes which also feature a mix of general housing, amenity bungalows and specially designed homes for wheelchair users. The completion highlights what is widely recognised as one of the largest and most ambitious council house building programmes anywhere in Scotland. COSLA LEADERS’, 26 June On 26 June, I attended a meeting of COSLA Leaders to discuss a packed agenda including the following items: - Breakfast Clubs - Asylum Accommodation - Reducing Class Contact Time (RCCT) - Local Government Finance Update - National School Swimming Offer - Public Service Reform - Scottish Attainment Challenge - £15 per Hour The Local Government Finance Update report provides Leaders with an update on three areas – Council Tax Reform High Value Property bands, flood risk and resilience capital funding and the continued work around a General Power of Competence. The new bands for Council Tax will take effect from 1 April 2028 and they will be created above the current highest band. CABINET VISIT TO ARRAN, 9 & 10 July On 9 and 10 July, together with North Ayrshire Council Cabinet Members, I visited Arran to meet with various community groups, organisations and individuals to hear more about the ongoing local developments and community projects which are making a difference to the lives of residents.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 4 Official Information Official Information The itinerary included visits to the Arran Outdoor Education Centre, the Kildonan Community Café and Shop, Brodick Tennis Club, the new electric bike charging station in Brodick and Brodick Hall. Some of these have seen recent investment which has enabled the following: • Kildonan Community Café & Shop: Benefited from £25,000 in Scottish Government funding supporting the National Islands Plan. This initiative is part of a broader £800,000 package shared across 16 initiatives on 12 Scottish islands to safeguard local economies and combat depopulation. • Brodick Hall: Following its role as the setting for the autumn meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in November 2025, the facility received £323,925 from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme. The investment has successfully transformed the space into a modern, fit-for-purpose Island Hub at the heart of the community. • Brodick Tennis Club: Upgraded through an investment of more than £150,000 via the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation Parks Project, alongside contributions from KA Leisure and the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme (managed by North Ayrshire Council). The revamp includes comprehensive resurfacing, new fencing, and modern gate-access technology, complementing wider efforts to restore the nearby Bowling Pavilion and Green. Cabinet members met with local campaigners led by Howard Wood, one of the foremost champions of the marine environment in the Clyde. They also had a productive meeting with local Arran Councillor Charles Currie to discuss core priorities for the island. I would like to thank all the individuals we met with for taking the time to meet with us and share their thoughts with us. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING, 21 August On 21 August, I attended a meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) where members received an update on the progress of the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) and received an update on the AGD Programme Risk Register up until the end of July 2026. Members also discussed a report on the proposal for a National Park in the south-west of Scotland. This is a collaborative proposal between Dumfries and Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council. A National Park would have the potential for the following positive outcomes:
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 5 Official Information Official Information - increased visitor flows into Ayrshire; - enhanced regional tourism branding; - access to national funding streams; - strengthened natural capital investment opportunities; - stronger links to biosphere and forest park initiatives. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING, 21 August Later on 21 August, I also attended a special meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC). Members received an update on the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) programme up until the end of June 2026 and an update on the AGD Programme Risk Register. Members were also updated on progress with the Ayrshire Energy Masterplan. Members were asked to endorse the final version of the Masterplan prior to its publication and to note that the Clean Growth workstream will be reconvened to oversee the implementation phase over the next five years. MARYMASS SATURDAY, 22 August I was delighted to go along to Marymass Saturday on 22 August and see the crowning ceremony of the Marymass Queen, Lucé Cardle. I took part in the parade up to Irvine Moor and attended the Provost’s Reception and lunch. My thanks to Provost Anthea Dickson for a lovely afternoon and my congratulations to the Royal Marymass Party who have performed their duties so well as part of the longstanding, local traditions of Irvine. ACCOUNTS COMMISSION ANNUAL REVIEW 2025/26, 26 August On 26 August, the Accounts Commission published their Annual Review for 2025/26. The past financial year has continued to present significant challenges across local government in Scotland however, I am delighted and proud to say that North Ayrshire Council was commended and mentioned in the review. The Accounts Commission stated, “Our Best Value reviews of North Ayrshire and Argyle and Bute Councils highlighted approaches to change, innovation and use of technology that others could learn from”.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 6 Official Information Official Information ARDROSSAN STEEL SIGNING EVENT, 27 August On 27 August, I was delighted to be invited along to the Steel signing event at the new Ardrossan campus. The new Ardrossan Campus is a £124.6 million investment which has been designed to be welcoming and accessible to all; supporting people at every stage of life. It will replace Ardrossan Academy and Winton Primary with a fully integrated facility, purpose- built to support early years, primary, secondary and ASN learners in one cohesive setting. Importantly, the design has been shaped through extensive consultation with stakeholders and the local community ensuring that what is being built here truly reflects local needs, aspirations and ambitions; a true shared community asset. The facilities here will include a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool and learner pool, high- quality sports and fitness provision, a shared library and community café and flexible performance and conference spaces. These are spaces designed to be used not just by pupils, but by the entire community which will support health, wellbeing, culture, and social connection. COSLA LEADERS’, 28 August On 28 August, I attended a meeting of COSLA Leaders to discuss a packed agenda including the following items: - Public Service Reform - Local Government Finance Update - Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan/ CYP Neurodevelopmental Supports and Services - Breakfast Clubs - National Performance Framework - More Homes Scotland - Distribution - Reform of Zero Hours Contracts – Consultation Response LARGS VIKING FESTIVAL, 29 August On 29 August, I was delighted to attend the Largs Viking Festival and take part in the parade. There was an excellent turnout by the public who enjoyed the festivities.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 7 Official Information Official Information My thanks again to the Largs Viking Festival Committee for pulling the whole thing together and to Provost Dickson for inviting me along as a guest to the reception after the parade. AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE SUB COMMITTEE AYRSHIRE SKILLS INVESTMENT FUND, 1 September On 1 September, I attended an online meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC) Sub Committee Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF). The Sub Committee were asked to consider various proposals for employer grant awards for 2025/2026. ASIF launched in October 2023 with £3.5 million provided to address skills gaps, aiming to upskill 1,000 residents by 2028 in engineering, digital, visitor economy and clean growth, focusing on priority groups including females, young people, people in low-paid employment, people with long-term disabilities and health conditions. The Sub Committee were also asked to approve ASIF IGNITE and SWITCH proposals. This was followed by an ASIF IGNITE Industry course update and an ASIF Ayrshire College update. 1ST TIER JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE & CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY GROUP MEETING, 3 September On 3 September, I attended a meeting of the 1st Tier Joint Consultative Committee and the Corporate Health and Safety Group. Attendees received Health and Safety reports from various Directorates including the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
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LEADER’S REPORT • • • 8 Official Information Official Information Councillor Anthony Gurney Leader of North Ayrshire Council