News In Brief - Monday 18 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.
Monday 18 May: Irvine office moves update
Opening from 10.30am today, the Customer Service Team at Bridgegate House and the Housing Advice Team at Galt House have officially moved to Cunninghame House. The public services now being provided at HQ include registration of births, deaths and marriages, homeless support and housing advice. Find out everything you need to know including the new check-in system guide in the latest Office Moves news article.
Tuesday 19 May: Latest absence management training
The Absence Policies, Processes and Practical Steps training – book now will take place from 11am until Noon on Tuesday this week. The session for managers will cover key aspects of the Wellbeing at Work and Maximising Attendance policies, including identifying prompts/triggers for intervention and managing both short and long-term absences effectively.
Wednesday 20 May: Full Council meeting
The May Full Council meeting will get under way at 2pm on Wednesday. You can read the agenda for the meeting online and the meeting can be streamed via the online Webcast.
Thursday 21 May: Pickleball session at Kilwinning Community Sports Hub
LiveWell’s next badminton/pickleball session is taking place on Thursday at Kilwinning Academy from 7pm until 8pm, racquets will be provided. If you are interested in attending, please book online, and feel free to share the details and booking link with North Ayrshire Council employees who do not have access to emails. If no times are showing, please add your details to our waiting list for future sessions.
This week is Accessibility Week
This week marks the 15th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on Thursday 21 May 2026. To celebrate, several events are lined up to learn more and take part in Accessibility Week. See the Accessibility training round-up on Latest News. These are being held as a cross-government initiative to improve public services for everyone.
Watch our latest Council Plan Priority video
Check out our new Council Plan video on how the council is tackling climate change and helping our residents to make the most of Active Travel routes and our coastline. The case study is a brilliant example of how we continue to provide safe walking paths, cycling lanes and other active travel infrastructure as not only are these routes great for our communities but are another move toward a cleaner, greener future.
Foster Care Fortnight continues
Please help us to raise the profile of fostering in North Ayrshire by sharing the social media posts shared via the NAHSCP Facebook channel, highlighting some of the myths and facts around foster caring and signposting the public to our dedicated foster care website.
North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival 2026 – submit your event ideas
Planning is under way for this year's North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival, taking place from Tuesday 20 October to Monday 9 November. We are now inviting individuals, creatives, groups, services, and partner organisations to submit ideas for events or activities to be included in this year’s festival programme. Proposals should be submitted via the online registration form by no later than Monday 15 June.
Free financial health checks at Cunninghame House
A Senior Personal Banker from RBS will be returning to Cunninghame House on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May to help colleagues to plan confidently for the future and get control of their finances. To book a free, confidential Financial Health Check, delivered face to face by a trained and accredited Senior Personal Banker in a private meeting room, please contact heather.hay@rbs.co.uk – appointments will last up to 1 hour.
Final dates left for Arran Outdoor Education Centre
Only November and December slots are left now for residential trips to Arran. Thank you to the 31 schools who have booked so far. Find out everything you need to know and how to book online via the Arran Outdoor news article.
Café on 4 menu and specials this week
Find out this week’s delicious treats, menu and specials in the Cunninghame House Café on 4 latest news article.
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!
