Locality Review Implementation Update
North Ayrshire Council · 1 September 2026
Back to Cabinet — 1 September 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 1 September 2026 Cabinet (Education) Title: Locality Planning 2.0 Implementation Update Purpose: To update Cabinet on progress in implementing recommendations from the North Ayrshire Locality Planning review. Recommendation: That Cabinet: a) notes the progress update provided regarding the review; and b) approves the planned next steps for review implementation outlined at paragraph 2.20- 2.22. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 North Ayrshire Council's locality planning arrangements are a key mechanism for reducing inequalities, strengthening community empowerment and supporting local democracy. Following the approval of the North Ayrshire Participation Strategy, and in the context of national developments relating to community empowerment and local governance, a comprehensive review of locality planning in North Ayrshire was undertaken during 2024/25. The review included engagement with community representatives, elected members and Community Planning Partners and sought to assess whether locality planning was addressing inequalities as effectively as possible. Feedback highlighted significant strengths within the existing model alongside opportunities to strengthen consistency, partnership engagement, meeting effectiveness and the focus on locality priorities. 1.2 In May 2025, Cabinet approved the implementation of a programme of improvement activity (referred to as Locality Planning 2.0), structured around four themes: strengthening support arrangements through a "Team Around the Partnership" approach; re-energising partnership meetings; strengthening the focus on Locality Plans and reducing inequalities; and refreshing Community Investment Fund processes. Officers committed to providing an update on implementation at a later date. 1.3 Progress has been made on the key recommendations over the past 12 months, including the introduction of refreshed meeting formats, improved partner reporting, enhanced engagement with partners and locality chairs, development of refreshed Locality Plans and locality profiles, and the establishment of a communications group to strengthen awareness and reporting of locality outcomes.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION 1.4 This report provides Cabinet with an update on progress made in implementing these recommendations and outlines the next phase of development as refreshed locality planning continues to be embedded across North Ayrshire. 2. Background 2.1 North Ayrshire Council has a long-standing commitment to community empowerment, participative democracy and partnership working. This commitment is reflected in the Council Plan, which identifies Communities and Local Democracy as one of its strategic priorities and sets out an ambition to build strong relationships with communities and partners based on trust, participation and shared decision-making. Locality Planning is one of the Council's principal mechanisms for delivering this ambition and plays a key role in bringing together communities, elected members and Community Planning Partners to identify and address local priorities and inequalities. 2.2 Locality Planning is also a statutory requirement under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and forms an important part of North Ayrshire's wider Community Planning arrangements. Through six Locality Partnerships, communities and partners work collaboratively to identify local priorities, influence decision-making and support delivery of locally led solutions. These arrangements also contribute to the delivery of the Community Planning Partnership's Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP), the Council Plan and wider Health and Social Care Partnership priorities. 2.3 Over the past decade, North Ayrshire has continued to develop and strengthen its approach to community participation and local democracy. Previous reviews have considered Locality Partnership membership, structures and Terms of Reference, while maintaining a focus on continuous improvement. In 2024, the approval of the North Ayrshire Participation Strategy, alongside national developments relating to the Community Empowerment Act, the Scottish Government's Local Governance Review and the Democracy Matters programme, provided an opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of locality planning arrangements. 2.4 The review was undertaken during 2024/25 and included surveys of Locality Partnership members, engagement with elected members, Community Planning Partners and community representatives, alongside consideration of national good practice. The review sought to answer a central question: "Are we addressing inequalities as effectively as we could?" 2.5 The findings informed the development of the Locality Planning 2.0 recommendations, which were approved by Cabinet in May 2025. The recommendations are focused around four interconnected themes: • Strengthening support arrangements through a Team Around the Partnership approach.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION • Re-energising Locality Partnership meetings and increasing community participation. • Refocusing activity around Locality Plans and tackling inequalities. • Reviewing Community Investment Fund processes and associated guidance. Progress Update 2.6 Since Cabinet approved the Locality Planning 2.0 recommendations in May 2025, a structured programme of implementation activity has been progressed across all six localities. There is recognition that each locality is different, and activity has focused on embedding the recommendations arising from the review in a tailored way, strengthening governance and partnership arrangements and ensuring that Locality Partnerships remain focused on addressing inequalities and delivering locally identified priorities. The Team Around the Partnership 2.7 A key recommendation of the review was the introduction of a more coordinated support model through the development of a "Team Around the Partnership" approach. This recognised the need to strengthen leadership, accountability and support around Locality Partnerships whilst making best use of limited resources. 2.8 A series of engagement meetings have been undertaken with Community Planning Partners, Locality Partnership Chairs and senior officers to discuss the findings of the review and agree implementation priorities. These discussions have focused on clarifying the respective roles of elected members, Partnership Lead Officers, Locality Officers, Connected Communities staff and Community Planning Partners in supporting delivery of locality priorities. 2.9 Work has also been undertaken through the Locality Partnership Officers Group (LPOG) to develop a shared understanding of key roles and responsibilities and identify opportunities to strengthen support for partnerships, particularly through the Locality Networks. 2.10 In parallel, discussions with Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) colleagues led to the alignment of locality planning arrangements across community planning and health and social care. On 30 April 2026, the Integration Joint Board approved an integrated locality planning model which aligned HSCP locality planning with Community Planning Partnership locality structures, reducing duplication, strengthening partnership working and ensuring a more sustainable approach to locality planning while maintaining statutory responsibilities. Implementation commenced in June 2026 across the six locality partnerships to support greater alignment of health, social care and community planning priorities and improve outcomes for local communities. Re-Energising Locality Partnership Meetings 2.11 One of the earliest priorities following Cabinet approval was the redesign of Locality Partnership meetings. Feedback gathered during the review identified a desire for meetings to move away from a largely information-sharing format and provide more opportunities for discussion, co-production and action planning.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION 2.12 Significant work has been undertaken to redesign meeting agendas and reporting processes. Refreshed agenda formats have now been introduced across Locality Partnerships. Workshop and discussion-based approaches have been incorporated where appropriate into meetings, enabling partners and community representatives to focus on priority themes in greater depth and identify practical solutions to local issues. Improving Partner Reporting 2.13 The review highlighted that a significant amount of Partnership meeting time was being devoted to verbal updates and partner reports. In response, a new reporting framework has been developed and introduced. Building on approaches used elsewhere within the Council, a standardised partner reporting template was developed and shared with partners. This provides a more concise and consistent method of evidencing activity, outcomes and contributions towards locality priorities. Feedback from partners has been positive, with the new reporting model supporting a more strategic focus at Partnership meetings. Locality Plan Refresh and Engagement Activity 2.14 A substantial programme of engagement is being undertaken to support the refresh of Locality Plans, with engagement having taken place in Irvine, Kilwinning and North Coast and Cumbraes and planned in the remaining localities in various formats. The refreshed approach places greater emphasis on ensuring that Locality Plans are living documents that drive discussion, delivery and decision-making at Locality Partnerships. Development of Place Insights and Strengthening Locality Networks 2.15 To support a stronger evidence-based approach to locality planning, work has progressed to develop Locality Place Insights for use by communities and partners. The profiles will provide a comprehensive picture of each locality, bringing together information on community assets, capacity, local organisations, service activity and outcomes within a single accessible resource. A Practitioner Twilight Session was held to support the development of the Place Insights and explore how they can be used to strengthen locality planning and inform the future refresh of Locality Plan priorities. During 2026/27, the Place Insights will be further developed and tested across localities, drawing on community conversations, partner engagement and existing locality intelligence to create a shared understanding of local needs, strengths and opportunities, helping partners to target resources and activity more effectively. 2.16 Recognising the importance of Locality Networks in delivering locality priorities, a review of network arrangements has also been undertaken, including consideration of membership, participation, governance and links to Locality Partnerships. Feedback from the Practitioner Twilight Session highlighted the need to strengthen Networks as delivery mechanisms for Locality Plan actions, while increasing partner and community participation. During 2026/27, work will focus on implementing revised network arrangements, progressing governance proposals, and strengthening performance monitoring and reporting. This will include the relaunch of the North Coast Network following Community Conversations in August 2026, with a similar approach being introduced in Kilwinning thereafter. This phased approach recognises that localities are at different stages of development and will ensure future arrangements reflect local needs and priorities while supporting more effective delivery of locality outcomes.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION Communications and Community Investment Fund 2.17 Improving awareness and visibility of locality planning was identified during the review as a key area for development. In response, a dedicated Locality Planning Communications Group has been established, bringing together officers involved in community planning, locality planning and communications activity. Progress in this area was impacted by pre-election communication restrictions; however, work has continued developing a longer-term communications approach designed to better showcase locality activity and outcomes. 2.18 The Community Investment Fund (CIF) guidance has been updated to strengthen alignment with the fund’s objectives and governance arrangements. As part of these revisions, successful applicants are now required to complete a Grant Acceptance Form prior to the release of funding. This enhancement is intended to strengthen accountability, improve consistency in grant administration and support robust governance, monitoring and assurance arrangements. Next Steps 2.19 Implementation of the review recommendations has introduced significant changes to the way Locality Partnerships operate, including revised meeting formats, enhanced community participation mechanisms, strengthened Locality Networks, improved reporting arrangements and the development of the Team Around the Partnership approach. 2.20 As these changes become embedded, there is an opportunity to ensure that the governance framework supporting Locality Planning remains aligned with the ambitions of Locality Planning 2.0 and continues to support effective, transparent and inclusive decision-making across all six localities. It is therefore proposed that a review of the Locality Partnership Terms of Reference and Standing Orders be undertaken. The review will consider: • Membership arrangements and representation. • Roles and responsibilities of elected members, community representatives, officers and Community Planning Partners. • Quorum requirements and decision-making processes. • Reporting and accountability arrangements. • Community participation and engagement mechanisms. • Alignment with Community Planning Partnership governance arrangements. • The operation of the Team Around the Partnership approach and supporting structures. 2.21 The review will be undertaken in collaboration with Locality Partnerships, elected members, community representatives and Community Planning Partners, ensuring that governance arrangements remain fit for purpose and reflect current practice and future ambitions for locality planning. 2.22 Alongside the governance review, the next phase of implementation will focus on: • Implementing the refreshed Locality Planning communications plan and increasing awareness of locality achievements and outcomes. • Continuing the development of Locality Networks and practitioner support arrangements. • Progressing alignment between Locality Planning and Health and Social Care
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION Partnership locality arrangements. • Finalising refreshed Locality Plans and development of Place Insights, including an increased focus on Community Wealth Building and place-based working. • Strengthening reporting arrangements to demonstrate the impact of locality planning on reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for communities. • Bringing forward any proposed amendments to the Locality Partnership Terms of Reference and Standing Orders through the appropriate Council governance processes for consideration and approval. • Considering how Locality Outcomes contribute to refreshing the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan. 2.23 Together, these actions represent the next stage of the Locality Planning review and aim to support the continued evolution of locality planning as a key mechanism for community empowerment, partnership working and local democratic decision-making across North Ayrshire. 3. Proposals 3.1 That Cabinet: a) Notes the progress update provided regarding the review recommendations; and b) Approves the planned next steps for review implementation at paragraphs 2.20-22. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 None. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The purpose of Locality Planning is to reduce inequalities, increase community cohesion and advance community empowerment. Each of the CIF proposals is tested against that purpose before being presented to Cabinet. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 The work of Locality Partnerships supports the North Ayrshire Council Plan strategic
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PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC INFORMATION aims. • To transition to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing and resilience for local people. • We will have active, inclusive, and resilient communities. • A Community Wealth Building Council that is efficient and accessible, maximising investment and focusing resources towards our priorities. Community Wealth Building 4.7 The work of Locality Partnerships supports the following pillars of community wealth building: • Financial Power: Listening to communities and local enterprises to maximise the impact of financial investment and grow local business, enhance innovation and empower communities. • Land and Assets: Maximising the function and ownership of local physical assets for the benefit of communities and enterprises. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None. North Ayrshire’s islands are represented appropriately through the Locality Planning mechanisms. United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 The work of Locality Partnerships supports the rights of children and young people, in particular supporting the Article 12 right to be heard through offering another route for young people to participate in decision making. Consumer Duty 4.10 None. 5. Consultation 5.1 The recommendations of the review of Locality Planning were created in consultation with Locality Partnership members and Community Planning partners. David W. Hammond Executive Director (Communities & Housing) For further information please contact Dr Rhonda Leith, Head of Service (Connected Communities), on 01294 324415. Background Papers 0