News In Brief - Monday 11 May 2026
Thank you once again for tuning in to News in Brief with important updates and news highlights of all that is happening over the coming week.
Scottish Parliament Election results
Following the Scottish Parliament Election on May 7, the count for the Cunninghame North and Cunninghame South constituencies along with the regional list vote was held the following day in the Portal, Irvine. A full breakdown of the results is available on our website.
New shared economic service appointments
As you will know, North and East Ayrshire Councils will shortly launch a new shared Economic Development Service, as part of a coordinated approach to delivering economic priorities across the region. Louise Kirk has been appointed as the new Regional Economic Director and will be supported by a new Head of Service, David McDowall. For more details, read our article on the new appointments.
Monday 11 May: This week is Mental Health Awareness Week
North Ayrshire Council is supporting an annual awareness-raising campaign by the Mental Health Foundation that promotes the importance of achieving good mental wellbeing. The theme this year is ‘Take Action’, and we’ll be supporting the campaign by sharing daily posts on the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Facebook page around the small actions we can all take to improve our own mental health, as well as that of our loved ones, our colleagues and our communities.
Tuesday 12 May: Latest Absence Management training
As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving Absence, HR have relaunched their How To: Absence Management Series, managers can book now for the next ‘Absence Management Polices, Processes and Practical Steps’ session on Tuesday 12 May from 11am until Noon. View the Absence Management series news article for details on the other sessions on the four-part series.
Friday 15 May: Nocturnal Walk at Lochshore – book now!
Experience Lochshore Park after dark on a guided night time walk from 9pm until 11pm with The Conservation Volunteers. The group will be using bat detectors to listen for bats, look at moth surveying and discover other nocturnal nature. Beginner friendly, children under 16 years must be accompanied by adult. No dogs allowed except assistance dogs. Please bring your own torch. Book your space for the nocturnal walk online.
Foster Care Fortnight gets underway
This week also sees the launch of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event that raises the profile of fostering in the UK. To support the event, we’ll be running a social media campaign on the NAHSCP Facebook channel, highlighting some of the myths and facts around foster caring and signposting the public to our dedicated foster care website. Please keep an eye out for posts and share to your own service’s channel where appropriate.
Have you thought about becoming a foster carer?
North Ayrshire Council is a Fostering Friendly Employer, with its Special Leave Scheme having been updated to give greater flexibility to staff for exploring fostering opportunities. Additionally, we have recently increased our fostering fee and introduced a welcome payment of £1000, which will be awarded 12 months after the first child is placed in your care. You can read more about the Fostering Futures Scheme online.
New digital check-in system for Cunninghame House
As advised in the recent communications regarding the Customer Service Centre relocation to Cunninghame House, we are introducing a new digital check‑in system for all customer appointments and external visits taking place at Cunninghame House. This applies to all external visitors, including members of the public and external partners with effect from Monday 18 May 2026. Read the office moves digital check-in update for everything you need to know.
HR Guide: Volunteering with the Council (including guidance on PVG Requirements)
A new PVG HR guide has been designed to support managers by pointing them in the right direction to ensure that our volunteers/students on placement are appropriately supported. Find out everything you need to know in the Volunteering with the Council Latest News article. The guide also has some frequently asked questions (FAQs) in relation to PVG requirements in educational establishments.
Handful of spaces left to book Arran Outdoor Education Centre this year!
Arran Outdoor Education Centre have had a busy school term so far and the team have reported to us that they now only have limited availability left in November and December 2026 and January 2027. Get in touch with the team today or fill out the online registration form to secure your place before it’s too late!
NEST to hold host of sessions on Arran
NEST is offering a range of free neurodiversity workshops on Arran this week. These sessions cover key areas such as sleep support, inclusive communication, understanding complex behaviour, and supporting neurodivergent volunteers, and may be particularly useful for staff development and improving inclusive practice across organisations. All events are free to attend and are being held at the Ormidale Pavilion in Brodick. Please help to spread the word!
Practitioners and organisations only:
- Monday 18 May: Supporting Neurodivergent Volunteers (4pm to 5.30pm)
- Tuesday 19 May: Inclusive Communication: (9.30am to 11.30am)
- Tuesday 19 May: Understanding Complex Behaviour: (3.30pm to 5.30pm)
Public workshops:
- Tuesday 19 May: Sleep Support Workshop: (12.15pm to 2.30pm)
- Tuesday 19 May: Introduction to Neurodiversity: (6.15pm to 8.30pm)
Staff and internal bookings can be made by contacting Arran CVS on 01770 600611 or emailing elizabethbarbour@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Members of the public should book via the links above.
That’s all for now! If you have news to share in News In Brief next week, share your story with us by midday on Friday by using the contact us button below. Have a great week everyone!
