250603 - Cabinet Minute
North Ayrshire Council · 2 September 2025
Back to Cabinet — 2 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Cabinet 3 June 2025 IRVINE, 3 June 2025 - At a Meeting of the Cabinet of North Ayrshire Council at 2.30 p.m. Present (Physical Participation) Marie Burns, Tony Gurney, Alan Hill, Margaret Johnson, Christina Larsen and Shaun Macaulay, and for consideration of Education Authority Business Elizabeth Turbet and Jacqui McKenzie. In Attendance C. Hatton, Chief Executive; S. Anson, Executive Director; A. McClelland, Head of Service; and K. McCormick, Executive Manager (Education); D. Hammond, Executive Director; and F. Ellis, Senior Manager (Housing Strategy and Development) (Communities and Housing); R. McCutcheon, Executive Director; L. Kirk, Head of Economic Development, Growth and Regeneration; and L. Neill, Senior Manager (Employability and Skills), T. Reaney, Head of Neighbourhood Services; D. Mackay, Senior Manager (Waste Resources – Strategy and Contracts); and S. MacFadyen, Senior Manager (Network) (Place); C. Cameron, Director (Health and Social Care Partnership); M. Boyd, Head of Finance; and D. Forbes, Senior Manager (Strategic Business Partner) (Finance); F. Walker, Head of People and ICT (People Services); A. Craig, Head of Democratic Services; R. Lynch, Senior Manager (Legal); I. Hardy, Senior Manager; and A. Hale, Team Manager (Policy, Performance and Democracy); J. Hutcheson, Senior Communications Officer (Media and Internal Communications); and S. Wilson, Committee Services Officer (Democratic Services) (Corporate Services). Chair Marie Burns in the Chair. 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. Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 May 2025 were confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 3. Attainment and Achievement Summary 2023/24 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) providing an update on (i) local early learning milestones data for Literacy and Numeracy for 2023-24;(ii) Curriculum for Excellence attainment levels in literacy and numeracy for 2023-24; and (iii) the overall performance of the 2023-24 North Ayrshire Council school leavers as highlighted in the INSIGHT benchmarking tool. Officers responded to Members’ question and Cabinet agreed to note (i) the content of the report, including the progress being made by learners, specifically in literacy
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and numeracy; (ii) the achievements of school leavers in SQA examinations in 2024; and (iii) the measures being taken to make further improvements to attainment and achievement levels across all educational establishments. 4. Attainment and Achievement Summary – Care Experienced Learners – 2023/24 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) providing an update on (i) Curriculum for Excellence Broad General Education (BGE) attainment levels of care experienced learners in 2023-24; (ii) Senior Phase attainment of care experienced school leavers in 2024; and (iii) post-school participation of care experienced learners. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to note (i) the content of the report, including the progress being made by care experienced learners, specifically in literacy and numeracy; (ii) the achievements of care experienced school leavers in SQA examinations in 2024; (iii) the progress in post-school participation of care experienced school leavers; and (iv) the continued focus on improving outcomes for care experienced learners in North Ayrshire. 5. Review of ELC Sustainable Rates for Funded Providers Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) seeking approval to increase the sustainable rate of payment to funded providers of early learning and childcare (ELC) in North Ayrshire who are contracted by the Council to deliver funded ELC to eligible 2–5-year-olds. Cabinet agreed to approve (a) an increase (i) of 4% in the current hourly rate paid by the Council to funded providers from 1 April 2025; (ii) to all funded providers (including childminders) in the amount paid per meal to £3.09, and for this to be backdated to 1 April 2025; and (b) to receive a further report at the time of the next annual review of the sustainable rate for funded providers. 6. HMIe National Thematic Inspection 2025 – Local Authority Approaches to Supporting School Improvement Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) informing of the outcome of the HMIe National Thematic Inspection of local authority approaches to school improvement, and to provide information about the performance of North Ayrshire Council Education Service in this context. The National Thematic Inspection summarised findings were attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (a) consider (i) the content of the national report published by Education Scotland, including its key recommendations; (ii) the specific feedback on approaches to school improvement in North Ayrshire and note that local recommendations will be incorporated into future service improvement planning; and (b) commend the contributions of staff at all levels across the service to this work.
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7. Proposal to Reserve Spaces for Catchment Children at Three Primary Schools Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) providing information on the rolls at Fairlie, Mayfield and Montgomerie Park Primary Schools and seeking approval to reserve up to 2 places at each year group stage of these primary schools for incoming catchment pupils from academic session 2025-26. Cabinet agreed to the creation of up to 2 reserved places at each year group stage at Fairlie, Mayfield and Montgomerie Park Primary Schools for incoming catchment pupils. 8. Equality Mainstreaming Report 2025 and Equality Outcomes 2025 – 2029 Submitted a report by the Head of Democratic Services presenting the Equality Mainstreaming Report 2023 to 2025 and Equality Outcomes 2021-2025 Report (encompassing the Education Authority) Report and proposed Equality Outcomes for 2025 to 2029 attached at Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to approve (i) the content of Equality Mainstreaming Report 2025 and the proposed Equality Outcomes 2025 to 2029; and (ii) publication of the report on the Council’s website as required under the Equality Act 2010. 9. Revenue Budget to 2024/25 – Financial Performance to 31 March 2025 Submitted a report by the Head of Finance advising of the financial performance for the Council for 2024/25. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (a) note (i) the information and financial outturn position outlined in the report; (ii) the financial performance of the Health and Social Care Partnership highlighted at 2.5; and (b) approve (i) the earmarking of £3.764m identified at 2.4 to meet future year commitments; (ii) a non-recurring budget transfer of £2.036m to the Health and Social Care Partnership to offset the in-year overspend on Council services; and (iii) the virements detailed in Appendix 8 to the report. 10. Capital Programme Performance to 31 March 2025 Submitted a report by the Head of Finance advising of progress in delivering the Capital Investment Programme 2024/25. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to note (i) the revisions to budgets outlined in the report; (ii) the General Services and HRA revised budgets at 31 March 2025; and (iii) the net expenditure to 31 March 2025. 11. Children’s Services Performance Report 2024-25 Submitted a report by the Director of Health and Social Care Partnership seeking approval for the North Ayrshire Children’s Services Performance Report 2024-25 attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to approve the North Ayrshire Children’s Services Performance Report 2024-25 attached at Appendix 1 to the report.
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12. Review of Gypsy/Traveller Site Provision in North Ayrshire Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) providing a progress update regarding the review of Gypsy/Traveller site provision in North Ayrshire. Photographs of the existing site at Redburn Grove were attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Member’s questions and Cabinet agreed to (a) note progress to date; and (b) approve the consideration of the Redburn Grove site for inclusion in the forthcoming Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031 for prioritisation alongside existing schemes, subject to funding availability. 13. Scottish Government Consultation: Changes to waste management services and the Call for Evidence (CfE) on the potential extension of the upcoming ban on landfilling biodegradable municipal waste Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) advising of the Scottish Government Consultation on possible changes to household recycling collection services and the Call for Evidence on the potential extension of the upcoming landfill ban, and seeking approval for the submission of the proposed responses attached at Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (a) grant authority to the Head of Neighbourhood Services to submit the Council’s response; and (b) note (i) the ongoing consultation and Call for Evidence; (ii) that responses to the consultation and Call for Evidence are also being submitted by other local authorities and COSLA; and (iii) that further updates will be brought to Cabinet in the event that the Scottish Government introduce a change to the household recycling collection services detailed within the consultation. 14. Bulky Waste Collection Service – Requirement to separately collect and manage Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) advising of the requirement to separately collect and manage Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating items for disposal, the application of the Bulky Waste fee structure to Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating items and the proposed review of commercial waste charges at the Arran Waste Transfer Station. Cabinet agreed (a) that the existing fees for the bulky waste scheme will apply for Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating uplifts (b) to note (i) the requirement to separately collect Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating items for disposal; (ii) the proposed introduction of a collection scheme for Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating items previously collected as part of the bulky waste scheme; and (iii) the proposed future review of the charges for disposal of Waste Upholstered Domestic Seating and other commercial waste streams at Arran Waste Transfer Station to ensure that the current commercial charges are covering the full cost of bulking, haulage and recycling/disposal.
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The following item was subject to the call-in procedure per the Council's Scheme of Administration and will be considered at a Special Meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 19 June 2025. 15. Implementation of the National 20mph Speed Limit Strategy Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) advising on the proposed implementation of the National 20mph Speed Limit Strategy within North Ayrshire. Implementation plans were attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (a) note the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for 20mph in Urban areas; and (b) approve the implementation of 20mph speed limits on appropriate roads as detailed in the implementation plans attached at Appendix 1 to the report. 16. Regeneration Delivery Plan Action Programme and Funding Proposals Update 2025/26 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) providing an update on progress on the action programme and seek approval for proposed funding allocations for the Regeneration Delivery Plan. The Regeneration Delivery Plan Action Programme and Funding Proposals were attached at Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (i) note the progress made on the implementation of the Regeneration Delivery Plan Action Programme attached at Appendix 1 to the report; (ii) approve the Regeneration Delivery Plan funding proposals as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report; (iii) note the update on previously secured or applied for funds provided at Appendix 3 to the report; (iv) provide delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) to agree submissions to both the RCGF and Islands Programme 2025/26; and (v) provide delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) to agree changes to the funding allocations in Appendices 2 and 3, respectively, to the report in consultation with the Portfolio Lead as required. 17. Modern Apprentices and Workforce Planning Employability Programmes Update Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) providing an update on the continuing Modern Apprentice and Workforce Planning Employability programmes and seek approval for the expansion of the Environmental Skills and Training Academy, providing paid work placements to support unemployed individuals’ progression to future sustainable employment. Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to (i) note the existing delivery and the positive outcomes achieved and support the continuation of these programmes; and (ii) approve the proposal for the expansion of the Environmental Skills & Training Academy as outlined at Appendix 1 to the report. 18. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport – Consultation on Draft Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) seeking approval for the proposed North Ayrshire Council submission to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s consultation on the Draft Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy attached at Appendix 1 to the report.
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Officers responded to Members’ questions and Cabinet agreed to approve the formal submission of the proposed consultation response provided at Appendix 1 to the report. 19. Urgent Items There were no urgent items. 20. Exclusion of the Public - Para 9 Resolve in terms of Section 50(A)4 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude from the Meeting the press and the public for the following item of business on the grounds indicated in terms of Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act. Non Disclosure of Information In terms of Standing Order 21 (Disclosure of Information), the information contained within the following report is confidential information within the meaning of Section 50A of the 1973 Act and shall not be disclosed to any person by any Member or Officer. 21. Arran Development Trust - Affordable Housing Account Funding Request Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) seeking approval to allocate grant funding to Arran Development Trust from the Affordable Housing Account. Cabinet agreed to approve the recommendation as detailed in the report. 22. Irvine – Montgomerie Park: Proposed Sale of Sites E, F & G Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) providing an update on the Heads of Terms which have been negotiated for the sale of Sites E, F & G at Montgomerie Park prior to entering missives for the sale of the site. Cabinet agreed to approve the recommendation as detailed in the report. The meeting ended at 4:35 p.m. The full meeting proceedings can be viewed at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home