2. 251028 - Cabinet Minute
North Ayrshire Council · 2 December 2025
Back to Cabinet — 2 December 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 28 October 2025 At a Meeting of the Cabinet of North Ayrshire Council at 2.30 p.m. involving a combination of participation by remote electronic means and physical attendance within the Council Chambers, Irvine Present (Physical Participation) Marie Burns, Christina Larsen, Shaun Macaulay and Chloe Robertson, and for consideration of Education Authority Business Elizabeth Turbet and Jacqui McKenzie. Present (Remote Participation) Alan Hill. 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, Y. Baulk, Head of Service (Housing & Public Protection) and R. Leith, Head of Service (Connected Communities) (Communities and Housing); C. Cameron, Director, P. McArthur, Senior Manager (Alcohol & Drug Services) and A. Johnson, Principal Manager (Business Support Services) (Health and Social Care Partnership); L. Cree, Head of Service (Sustainability, Transport and Corporate Property), T. Reaney, Head of Service (Neighbourhood Services) and J. Wraith, Senior Manager (Energy and Sustainability) (Place); M. Boyd, Head of Finance, D. Forbes, Senior Manager (Strategic Business Partner) (Finance); F. Walker, Head of Service (People Services) (People & ICT); A. Craig, Head of Democratic Services, J. Hutcheson, Senior Communications Officer (Media and Internal Communications) and C. Stewart, Committee Services Officer (Democratic Services) (Corporate Services). Also Present Eleanor Collier and Davina McTiernan. Chair Marie Burns in the Chair. Apologies Tony Gurney. 1. Chair’s Remarks Prior to commencing with the business of the meeting, Councillor Burns, Chair, drew the Cabinet’s attention to the very positive findings of the Accounts Commission on the Best Value Report prepared by Audit Scotland’s Controller of Audit on Best Value in North Ayrshire Council published that day. The report highlighted, amongst other things, our work with our communities, that the Council was held as an exemplar for other Councils and good partnership working. Councillor Burns thanked all staff for their hard work and commitment which had contributed to this outcome. 2. 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.
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3. Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting of (i) the Ordinary Meeting of the Cabinet held on 30 September 2025; and (ii) the Special Meeting held on 8 October 2025 were confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 4. Annual Participation Measure for 16-19 Year Olds in 2025 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) on the recently published Annual Participation Measure which reports the proportion of 16–19-year-olds participating in education, training or employment throughout the last year, attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) note the content of the report and the progress made in improving this measure; and (b) support the joint commitment across services and the continued partnership approach to making further improvements to this measure. 5. Proposal to limit the P1 intake at Montgomerie Park Primary School Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) on the roll at Montgomerie Park Primary School and proposals to limit the P1 intake to a maximum of 32 children. The Cabinet agreed to (a) limit the P1 intake to a maximum of 32 children for each school session from August 2026 onwards; (b) increase the number of reserved places at each school stage to 4 from August 2026; and (c) remit to the Head of Service (Education) the ongoing responsibility to monitor catchment numbers and make adjustments to the P1 intake and/or reserved places accordingly for each subsequent school year. 6. Review of the priority banding policy for Early Years Admissions Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) on the alterations to the early years admissions policy by refreshing the existing priority banding categories following a review. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) approve the revised priority banding categories; and (b) the implementation of the revised categories from January 2026 onwards. 7. Annual Report - School and early Learning and Childcare Inspections 2024- 25 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Education) on the performance of North Ayrshire schools and early learning and childcare settings in external inspections, with a focus on those published during session 2024-25. Education Scotland’s (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIe)) 6-point scale, inspection reports, and Pirnmill Primary School Further Inspection Letter were attached at Appendices 1 to 3, respectively, to the report. It was noted that the embargoed report, which had previously been shared with Cabinet Members and Lay Members of Cabinet, was now in the public domain and had subsequently been published on the Council’s website earlier today. It was noted that
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the overall nature of the inspection reports was positive under exception of St Bridget’s Primary School and in relation to which an action plan was in place to ensure all necessary improvements were made. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) note (i) the contents of the report, and (ii) the actions being undertaken across the service to address areas requiring improvement; and (b) commend the performance of schools and Early Learning Centre (ELC) settings in inspections conducted by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate. 8. Variation in Order of Business Having heard Councillor Burns, Chair, the Cabinet agreed to vary the order of business as hereinafter minuted. 9. North Ayrshire Leisure Limited (KA Leisure) Performance and Impact Report 2024/25 and Performance Strategy 2025-27 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) on the North Ayrshire Leisure Limited (KA Leisure) Performance and Impact Report 2024/25 and Performance Strategy 2025-27, attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet received a presentation from KA Leisure detailing the performance and impact work undertaken to date to take the organisation forward and bring about recovery and improvements. Officers from KA Leisure responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) note (i) the North Ayrshire Leisure Limited (KA Leisure) Performance and Impact Report 2024/25 attached at Appendix 1 to the report and (ii) the KA Leisure Performance Strategy 2025-27; and (b) authorise officers to support the KA Leisure Board and Executive Team in the delivery of the Performance Strategy 2025-27. 10. Revenue Budget 2025/26: Financial Performance to 31 August 2025 Submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the financial performance for the Council at 31 August 2025. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) note (i) the information and financial projections outlined in the report and (ii) the latest financial projection for the Health and Social Care Partnership highlighted at section 2.6 of the report; and (b) approve the virements detailed in Appendix 8 to the report. 11. Capital Programme Performance to 31 August 2025 Submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the progress in delivering the Capital Investment Programme 2025/26 performance to 31 August 2025. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed (a) to approve the virement proposal noted within the HRA programme detailed in Appendix 2 to the report; (b) note (i) the revisions to budgets outlined in the report; and (ii) the General Services and HRA revised budgets at 31 August 2025 and the forecast expenditure to 31 March 2026.
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12. Treasury Management and Investment Mid-Year Report 2025/26 Submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the Treasury Management update for the period 1 April to 30 September 2025. The Treasury Management and Investment Mid- Year Report 2025/26 was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet agreed (a) to endorse the Treasury Management and Investment Mid-Year Report 2025/26 attached at Appendix 1 to the report; and (b) note the Prudential and Treasury Indicators contained therein. As this would be the last meeting of Cabinet, that David Forbes, Senior Manager (Strategic Business Partner) would be attending prior to moving to a new post within another local authority, Councillor Burns, Chair, on behalf of Cabinet thanked Mr Forbes for all his hard work and diligence during his time with North Ayrshire Council and wished him well for the future. Mr Forbes thanked Councillor Burns for her kind words. 13. Performance Information and Update – Drug and Alcohol Services – 2024/25 Submitted a report by the Director (North Ayrshire HSCP) on the national and local drug and alcohol related targets and standards and performance in North Ayrshire. The North Ayrshire Performance Management Report Alcohol and Drug Services 2024/25 and Medication Assisted Treatment Progress Report 2024/25 were attached at Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions. Noted. 14. Financial Inclusion Strategy 2025 - 2030 Submitted a report by the Director (North Ayrshire HSCP) on the progress relating to the Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-28 and the updated Strategy for 2025-30, attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) endorse the updated Financial Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030; and (b) otherwise note the contents of the report, particularly the progress made relating to the Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-28. 15. Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2026-2031 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026 – 2031, attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet agreed to (a) approve (i) the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026-2031 attached at Appendix 1 to the report for submission to Scottish Government; and (ii) the projects set out within the SHIP shadow programme attached at Appendix 1 to the report; (b) give delegated authority to the Executive Director (Communities and Housing) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands to liaise directly with the Scottish Government in agreeing the acceleration of projects in the main SHIP programme, as required; and (c) note that acceleration of any projects from the SHIP shadow programme would require Cabinet approval.
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16. Crown Estates Scotland – Memorandum of Understanding Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) seeking approval to update and extend the Memorandum of Understanding with Crown Estates Scotland by a further twelve months. The Cabinet agreed to approve the update and extension of the partnership agreement with Crown Estates Scotland for a further twelve months, to support the Council’s regeneration and economic development priorities and the Ayrshire Growth Deal Marine Tourism Programme. 17. Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26 Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) seeking approval of the Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26. The Winter Preparation Action Plan and the Roads and Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26 were attached at Appendices 1 and 2, respectively, to the report. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) approve the Roads Winter Service and Weather Emergencies Plan 2025/26 attached at Appendix 2 to the report; and (b) note the preparations and actions taken which are contained in the Winter Preparation Action Plan attached at Appendix 1 to the report. 18. Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) on the Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report 2024/25 submission. Officers responded to Members’ questions and the Cabinet agreed to (a) approve its submission to the Scottish Government; and (b) otherwise note the terms of the report. 19. Urgent Items There were no urgent items. 20. Exempt Report: Lease Amendment – Lower Ground Floor Lochshore Hub, Caledonia Road, Glengarnock It was noted that the report by the Executive Director (Place) on the above had been withdrawn and would be considered at the December meeting of Cabinet. The meeting ended at 5.00 p.m. The full meeting proceedings can be viewed at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home