2(ii). 250206 Minute (Final)
North Ayrshire Council · 13 March 2025
Back to Audit and Scrutiny Committee — 13 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Audit and Scrutiny Committee 6 February 2025 At a Special Meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m. involving participation by remote electronic means and physical attendance within the Council Chambers, Irvine. Present (Physical Participation) John Bell, Cameron Inglis, Davina McTiernan and John Sweeney. Present (Remote Participation) Donald Reid, Eleanor Collier, Matthew McLean and Donald L. Reid. In Attendance (Physical Participation) D. Hammond, Executive Director and R. Leith, Head of Service (Connected Communities) (Communities and Housing); and A. Craig, Head of Service, M. Sugden, Communications Officer, C. Stewart, Committee Services Officer and H. Young, Senior Committee Services Officer (Democratic Services) (Corporate Services). Chair Councillor Bell in the Chair. Apologies Tom Marshall. 1. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest by Members in terms of Standing Order 11 and Section 5 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors. 2. Petition: ‘Possible closure of Dreghorn Library’ Submitted report by the Head of Democratic Services on the terms of a petition, consisting of 776 signatories on a petition received in relation to “possible closure of Dreghorn Library”. The report outlined the wording of the petition as detailed below: “Purpose: As long time customers of Dreghorn Library, we are deeply saddened by the proposed closure. This institution has been a cornerstone of our community, providing a wide array of educational resources, enhancing literacy and fostering a deep sense of community. Not only will the closure of our local library be a devastating loss to our educational landscape, but it will also leave many without access to critical services, such as Internet and printing access. Libraries are a vital part of communities providing a safe space for people to learn, explore and connect with others. Preserving our local library, is more than just books; it’s about preserving our community and its assets. Please join us in saving our library. Sign our petition today.
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The Head of Service (Democratic) outlined the process for consideration of the petitions listed as Items 2, 3 and 4 on the agenda, whereby each petition would be taken in turn, with petitioners allocated ten minutes each to address the Committee and answer any questions. The Head of Service (Connected Communities) would then address the Committee in response to the petitions. The principal spokespersons, Maxine Blane, Colin Blane and Linda Haswell, outlined their objections to the proposal, including the following:- • The library was considered to be an essential hub of the community and was a warm and welcoming place for friends, families, groups and individuals; • The regular events that were hosted, within the library, and the considerable benefits to the local community in terms of being able to access them including book bug, story time and promotion of children’s reading; • The ongoing cost-of-living pressures, affecting members of the community, and the benefits in being able to access free digital and computer facilities, particularly for the unemployed and potential loss of these benefits if the library was to close; • Combatting adult loneliness and isolation by bringing people together, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable, while assisting in promoting a sense of community; • The central location of Dreghorn Library, allowing ease of access to the local community of Dreghorn, as well as those in Bourtreehill and Springside; and • The social interaction and mental health benefits and their contribution and significant use by the local community, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if these proposals were to go ahead. In their presentation, the spokespersons gave examples of how local residents would be affected adversely by the proposals. They were also heard in answer to Members’ questions. A briefing note by the Head of Service (Connected Communities) was detailed as Appendix 1 to the report and the Committee then heard from the Head of Service in answer to Members’ questions and in clarification of certain matters raised in the petition correspondence, particularly in relation to the point that no decisions had been made in relation to these budget consultation proposals. Councillor Sweeney, seconded by Councillor McLean, moved that the Committee agree to make a recommendation to Cabinet that the petition be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. 3. Petition: ‘Proposed closure of Beith Library’ Submitted report by the Head of Democratic Services on the terms of a petition, consisting of 408 signatories on a petition, received in relation to “proposed closure of Beith Library”. The report outlined the wording of the petition as detailed below: “Please find enclosed the following signatures from the people of Beith who are very concerned at the closure of Beith Library. The people of Beith rely on the various
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services the library provides for them for all ages in the community. Please can we ask you to pass on this petition to the relevant parties before the February budget meeting. Please do not close this library as it has been at the heart of the community for many years and our town cannot have the eyesore of another empty building.” The principal spokespersons, Fiona Dickie and Eileen Gemmell, outlined their objections to the proposal, including the following:- • The library offered a safe and easily accessible hub, for all ages, as well as encouraging and fostering community spirit and friendship; • Combatting adult loneliness and social isolation, especially in the elderly population by bringing the community together through the many social and group activities available within the library, particularly given difficulties of older citizens and those with disabilities in accessing public transport; • The loss of educational facilities if the proposal was to go ahead as it was extensively used by Beith Primary and Nursery children due to its close location and ease of getting there; • The central location of the library, allowing ease of access to the local community and if the closure went ahead, another empty building in the town, the possible reduction in footfall for local traders and the difficulty for residents to access facilities in other locations due to the lack of public transport in the Garnock Valley; • The benefits of encouraging digital and computer use, in the local community particularly those affected by cost-of-living pressures including those using the library facilities for seeking employment opportunities; and • The value of the libraries, in bringing people together through the many group activities on offer, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if this proposal was to proceed. In their presentation, the spokespersons gave examples of how local residents would be affected adversely by the proposals. They were also heard in answer to Members’ questions. A briefing note by the Head of Service (Connected Communities) was detailed as Appendix 1 to the report and the Committee then heard from the Head of Service and the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) in answer to Members’ questions and in clarification of certain matters raised in the petition correspondence, particularly in relation to the point that no decisions had been made in relation to these budget consultation proposals. Councillor Donald L. Reid, seconded by Councillor Inglis, moved that the Committee agree to make a recommendation to Cabinet that the petition be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. 4. Petition: ‘Proposal to cut the Eglinton Park rangers service and closure of the community garden’
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Submitted report by the Head of Service (Democratic) on the terms of a petition, consisting of ‘over 5000 signatories’ on an online petition, received concerning “proposal to cut the Eglinton Park rangers service and closure of the community garden”. The report outlined the wording of the petition as detailed below: “North Ayrshire Council are proposing to CUT the park ranger service from Eglinton Country Park as part of their annual budget review. Removing the rangers service will result in Eglinton losing it's 'Country Park' status and instead it will become open land that the council is not required to maintain as much. It will also bring an end to education visits, several volunteer programmes, irreplaceable knowledge about the park and many more key attributes that the service currently delivers. The community garden which has prospered over the last 4 years under the stewardship of the rangers service and many dedicated volunteers will be closed and left abandoned. The council will meet in February 2025 to decide on the fate of the park - help us lobby the council to keep Eglinton Country Park a place for all to enjoy and keep the only country park in North Ayrshire!” The principal spokespersons, Craig McLellan, Kenny Neill and Charles Waddell, outlined their objections to the proposal, including the following:- • The benefits in keeping the rangers service at Eglinton Park and all the associated initiatives; • The strength of feeling as shown in the growth of signatures on the online petition which has been shared widely on social media, as well as featuring in local newspapers and radio; • The value of volunteers including the hours contributed and potential loss of volunteering opportunities in and around the park; • The removal of the park ranger service would likely result in the loss of the Eglinton Path Stewards, a dedicated group of volunteers who maintain some of the park’s gardens and pathways; • The loss of skills and specialist knowledge in relation to countryside management and biodiversity; • The loss of social value for a relatively small financial saving; • The potential, though disputed, ‘loss of country park status’; • The loss of the community garden; and • The proposed cuts to the rangers service, the Council’s duties in terms of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the feeling that the proposal is at odds with the North Ayrshire local biodiversity action plan. In their presentation, the spokespersons gave examples of how visitors to the park and volunteers would be affected adversely by the proposals. They were also heard in answer to Members’ questions. A briefing note by the Head of Service (Connected Communities) was detailed as Appendix 1 to the report and the Committee then heard from the Head of Service and the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) in answer to Members’ questions and in clarification of certain matters raised in the petition correspondence, particularly in relation to the point that no decisions had been made in relation to these budget consultation proposals. Clarification that “country park” status would remain if the proposal went ahead was also given.
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Councillor Inglis, seconded by Councillor Donald Reid, moved that the Committee agree to make a recommendation to Cabinet that the petition be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. 5. Urgent Items There were no urgent items. The meeting ended at 3.10 p.m. The full meeting proceedings can be viewed at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home