Crown Estates Fund 2024-25
North Ayrshire Council · 18 March 2025
Back to Cabinet — 18 March 2025 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 18 March 2025 Cabinet Title: Crown Estates Fund 2024/25 Purpose: To seek approval for the funding proposals for the Crown Estates Scotland Net Revenue Allocation Recommendation: That Cabinet: a) Approves the funding proposals for the Crown Estates Scotland Net Revenue allocations towards the: • Creation of a North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund • Improvement and repair of Kilwinning Abbey Tower; and b) Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) to agree changes to the funding allocation in consultation with the Portfolio Lead as required. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 North Ayrshire Council is one of nineteen Local Authorities to receive a payment from the net revenue generated by the Crown Estate Scotland’s (CES) marine assets out to twelve nautical miles. Allocations should be used to deliver coastal community benefit and offer a high level of flexibility. 1.2 This is the sixth tranche of payments, which are made in arrears following the finalisation of Crown Estate Scotland’s annual accounts. In December 2024, the Council was notified that the 2024/25 allocation for North Ayrshire is £197,255.27. 1.3 Cabinet approved the allocation of the majority of the 2023/24 award via the Regeneration Delivery Plan Action Programme and Funding Proposals Update report on 27 August 2024. This report sets the proposal for the remaining balance of the 2023/24 allocation and the 2024/25 allocation. 2. Background 2.1 The revenue generated by Crown Estates Scotland’s (CES) work is paid to the Scottish Government, which then allocates a portion of the funds to Councils across Scotland to support projects in their areas. This comes from the net revenue generated by the CES marine assets out to twelve nautical miles. This is the sixth tranche of payments and North Ayrshire Council is one of nineteen Local Authorities to receive an allocation.
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2.2 Allocations require to be used to deliver coastal community benefit and offer a high level of flexibility. Effectively, the money can be used in any way that contributes to the benefit of coastal communities. A coastal community is considered one within five miles of a coast. 2.3 Payments are made in arrears following the finalisation of CES’s annual accounts. The 2024/25 allocation for North Ayrshire is £197,255.27. This can be spent in 2024/25 or carried into 2025/26 as necessary. 2.4 An annual report is required by CES on the benefits to the blue economy that the funding has supported. All activities supported using the allocation require to deliver coastal community benefit and be within 5 miles of coastal or estuarine foreshore. The benefits can include: • Environmental enhancement • Emissions reduction or removal of waste • Jobs • Tourism • Skills development • Diversification projects • Investment for community purpose 2.5 The 2023/24 CES allocations were approved by Cabinet through the Regeneration Delivery Plan Action Programme and Funding Proposals Update report on 27 August 2024, with a balance of £50,000 remaining. It is proposed the balance is allocated to support the creation of a North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund (£50,000) to provide targeted support to Cumbrae and Arran, addressing their unique challenges and opportunities. 2.6 The proposed fund will be administered from April 2025 to March 2026 and will provide support for community organisations in addressing their specific needs, achieve their aims and the wider priorities of the Islands Plans. This direct investment to island communities will address social, economic and environmental issues by delivering immediate and longer-term sustainable improvements. 2.7 The Fund will complement existing island funding sources. It aims to enable community-led local action on the islands to build on strengths, support local need and strengthen Community Wealth Building through the implementation of actions that deliver the priorities identified in the strategic Local Island Plans. The interventions funded will require to align with the benefits outlined at Section 2.4 of this report and could include: • Supporting island facilities and services and maximising community assets to support wellbeing in local communities. • Delivering health, wellbeing and community activities including those that tackle inequalities and disadvantage. • Enhancing the islands’ culture and heritage. • Developing and promoting active travel and transport solutions. • Improving communities’ preparedness to deal with the impacts of climate change.
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• Developing digital solutions to improve online presence and/or access. 2.8 In December 2024, the Council was notified that the 2024/25 allocation for North Ayrshire is £197,255.27. It is proposed to allocate the 2024/25 CES funding (£197,255.27) to improvement and repair works at Kilwinning Abbey Tower. The project has been assessed against and meets the requirements of the fund outlined at Section 2.4. 2.9 The need for the works was informed by extensive consultation including a Charette undertaken in 2019, which identified Kilwinning Abbey, the Tower and surrounding grounds as of key importance. This was followed by the Kilwinning Place Framework which was prepared in 2023, drawing upon extensive community and stakeholder engagement involving residents, businesses, community organisations and relevant departments from across North Ayrshire Council. This helped create a set of priorities and actions, and enhancing the Kilwinning Abbey Tower emerged as a priority. 2.10 The works are required to ensure the Abbey Tower’s long-term conservation. This includes building fabric repairs and improvements that will ensure water ingress is prevented. Lost features will also be reinstated, and a range of other improvements will be carried out to enhance the visitor experience throughout the building. Conservation Architects, Wylie Shanks Architects, prepared the tender information with input from North Ayrshire Council and Kilwinning Heritage. CBC Stone have been appointed to undertake the fabric improvements. 2.11 The works are being funded by a range of sources including internal Council budgets, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme. The allocation of Crown Estates funding will provide additional budget, maximise the level of external investment in the project and provide additional contingency funding due to the nature of the works. 2.12 Future funding allocations from Crown Estates Scotland will be the subject of further Cabinet reports. 3. Proposals 3.1 That Cabinet: a) Approves the funding proposals for the Crown Estates Scotland Net Revenue Allocations towards the: • Creation of a North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund • Improvement and repair of Kilwinning Abbey Tower; and b) Provides delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) to agree changes to the funding allocations in consultation with the Portfolio Lead as required.
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4. Implications/Socio-economic Financial 4.1 The costs associated with the North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund will be met from the Crown Estates allocation and managed by the Senior Officer (Islands). The Kilwinning Abbey works are being funded by a range of sources including internal Council resource, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme. The allocation of Crown Estates funding will maximise the level of external investment in the project and provide additional contingency funding due to the nature of the works. A commitment had been made within the Flexibility Fund should an alternative funding source, such as CES, not be found. Human Resources 4.2 The works are currently being delivered by the Property Management & Investment team using existing resource and external contractors. Legal 4.3 None Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The Kilwinning Abbey works will help to secure the future of an important heritage asset which contributes to the town centre and tourism within Kilwinning. The North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund will provide direct investment to communities to address social, economic and environmental issues by delivering immediate and longer-term sustainable improvements. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 The Crown Estate allocations aim to support coastal community benefits including environmental enhancement. The North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund aims to support communities to address environmental issues by delivering immediate and longer-term sustainable improvements. The Kilwinning Abbey works will ensure the conservation of the building including building fabric and repairs, ensuing its longer term sustainability. Key Priorities 4.6 This proposal aligns with the Regeneration Delivery Plan and Local Island Plans for Arran and Cumbrae. The Regeneration Delivery Plan was informed by the priorities identified within the North Ayrshire Partnership Plan and Locality Partnership priorities. The proposal will contribute to achieving the Council Plan priorities that focus on Wellbeing, Communities and Local Democracy, Climate Change, and A Sustainable Council.
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Community Wealth Building 4.7 The North Ayrshire Islands Programme Fund will enable community-led local action on the islands and strengthen Community Wealth Building through the implementation of actions that deliver priorities identified in the strategic Local Island Plans for Arran and Cumbrae. The Kilwinning Abbey works support the Land and Assets pillar of the Community Wealth Building Strategy by helping to secure the future of an important community and heritage asset. 5. Consultation 5.1 The Island Plans were developed with, and for, the island communities to drive the development of community, economic and environmental wellbeing of Arran and Cumbrae. The Kilwinning Abbey works were identified through the Kilwinning Charette and Place Framework process, both of which involved extensive local public consultation. RUSSELL McCUTCHEON Executive Director (Place) For further information please contact Claire Fitzsimmons, Interim Senior Manager – Regeneration, on 01294 315305. Background Papers