A six-monthly progress report on Our Council Plan – demonstrating some of the great work being done by colleagues across different services – has been approved by Cabinet.
Developed alongside residents, Our Council Plan shows how we work in partnership with communities to fulfil our aim of creating a North Ayrshire that is fair for all.
It does this by focusing on four priorities:
- Wellbeing
- Communities and Local Democracy
- Climate Change and
- A Sustainable Council
The report shows that we have made good progress in the six months between April and September 2024.
A Best Value Thematic Audit by Audit Scotland examined our workforce plans to explore how we are responding to workforce challenges through building capacity, increasing productivity and innovation.
The audit found that we – as a local authority – have “a clear vision for workforce planning” including promoting flexible working practices for many employees including remote working and compressed hours.
Other key highlights include:
- We are now one of Scotland’s Fairer Future Partnerships (FFP). This £350,000 investment in the Council for a Fairer Futures Team will enhance the approach to addressing child poverty alongside partners
- The progression of two new solar photovoltaic (PV) farms to the construction stage at Nethermains, Kilwinning, and Shewalton, Irvine. These are expected to generate £400,000 of revenue per year over 25 years as well as reducing the area’s carbon footprint
- We have implemented our Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2024-29, including starting on-site at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine and at the former Garnock Academy site in Kilbirnie and completion of sheltered housing refurbishment projects at Cheviot Court, Irvine and Barnett Court, Saltcoats
- Montgomerie Park Primary School opened in August 2024, achieving and exceeding certification for energy efficiency meaning reduced operational costs. Passivhaus-certified, this construction will significantly inform future sustainable construction projects
- Almost £2.1 million in external funding has been secured to advance the Local Transport and Active Travel Strategy
- To date, 36,531 trees have been planted across North Ayrshire through the 2030 Woodland: A Tree Planting Strategy and
- Locality Plans were approved at Locality Partnership meetings in September. To date, £177,574 of community grants have been awarded.
Though outside of the timescales of the report, Cabinet was informed that the Council has recently been selected as one of three Scottish local authorities on the Collaborating for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES) programme.
Jointly led by Public Health Scotland and the University College London Institute for Health Equity, the programme will both strengthen and accelerate work to address child poverty.
It will complement the Council’s Fairer Futures Partnership activity and be central to ensuring residents live in a North Ayrshire that is fair for all.
Chief Executive Craig Hatton said: “As a local authority, we are very pleased with the progress that is being made through Our Council Plan.
“In recent months, we have made good progress, developing key initiatives through partnership working and delivering key projects in support of our strategic priorities as we seek to deliver on our ambition to make life better for our residents.”
Cabinet approved the Council Plan Six Monthly Progress Report when it met recently, and this was presented to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.
“As a local authority, we are very pleased with the progress that is being made through Our Council Plan. In recent months, we have made good progress, developing key initiatives through partnership working and delivering key projects in support of our strategic priorities as we seek to deliver on our ambition to make life better for our residents.”Craig Hatton – Chief Executive
Staff interested in finding out more can read the Council Plan online.
The Cabinet report can be accessed here.