Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda.

The accuracy of the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2018 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Provost for the period from 10 May - 20 June 2018 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Leader of the Council covering the period from 3 May - 20 June 2018 (copy enclosed).

Submit, for noting, the Minutes of meetings of committees of the Council held in the period 18 December 2017 - 13 June 2018.

Submit report by the Chief Executive on the Minutes of the meeting of the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board held on 31 May 2018 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Chief Executive on a revised committee timetable for the remainder of 2018 and for 2019 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Chief Executive on a review the key Governance documentation which regulates the operation of Council, its Committees and Officers (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) to (i) provide the Council with an overview of the Council’s unaudited Annual Accounts for the year to 31 March 2018; (ii) provide an overview of the Council’s financial performance for the year; and (iii) outline how the 2017/18 outturn impacts on the Council’s overall financial position (copy enclosed).

Submit, for approval, report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the unaudited Trustees' Annual Reports for the year to 31 March 2018 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the Treasury Management and Investment Annual Report and Prudential Indicators for 2017/18 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Chief Executive on the proposed compulsory purchase of land required to provide parking spaces in Stevenston town centre, relieving and preventing congestion (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Chief Executive (i) providing a conclusion to the 2017 review of arrangements for planning, commissioning and delivery of health and social care services in Ayrshire and Arran; (ii) presenting propsals to address the findings from the Review of the Integration Scheme between North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran in respect of lead partnership arrangements; (iii) seeking agreement for the next steps in respect of Fair Share commissioning within the Ayrshire and Arran Health and Care system; and, (iv) outlining future development in respect of “Directions” as the Model provided by the Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act for Integration Joint Boards to commission services from the Council and NHS Board (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Executive Director (Economy and Communities) on the proposed establishment of an Ayrshire Regional Partnership for Inclusive Economic Growth (copy enclosed).

“Is the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care aware that 1 in 4 children (230,000) in Scotland were living in poverty between 2014 and 2017 and that the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that this will increase by 50% by 2021, and can he:-

(1) confirm to Members the estimated number of young people in NA living in poverty in that same period (2014-17); and

(2) advise what steps NAC propose totake to ensure that we have in a place a plan for NAC to ameliorate this trend of increasing levels of child poverty.”

“Can the Cabinet Member for Communities:-

(1) advise if there is  any indication of the local impact being felt as a result of the closure of North Ayrshire Citizen Advice Service (NACAS) in terms of providing advice and support to our poorest residents when all the evidence points to the real benefits of having advice services readily available and accessible; and

(2) say whether there has been an assessment made of the impact on our own  NAC Money Advice Service following the closure of NACAS and are there any plans to bolster this vital service.”

"The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care will be aware that suicide is a growing problem in men under 50 in Scotland and indeed is now that age group's leading cause of death. Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations advise that some 728 people took their own lives Scotland in 2017 - 75% of whom were male.

Can the Cabinet Member (a) provide details of the number of suicides in North Ayrshire in 2017 (or 2016 if 2017 figures are not available) and if practicable give a breakdown by age and sex; and (b) give brief details of any current or planned initiatives to combat the number of suicides in North Ayrshire."

“The Portfolio holder (H&SC) may be aware that in Scotland recent research has shown that over 15,000 people fell into arrears for their care home costs over the past two years. Of the 15,733 found to be in debt, 6,443 were registered with local authorities as being the subject of debt management procedures for non-payment of social care charges. Can you  portfolio holder comment on the current situation as it applies to North Ayrshire and in particular advise if anyone in North Ayrshire has ended up in court for non-payment in the past two years.”

"The Leader will be aware of the  ‘Local state we’re in 2018’ report  which recently surveyed 81 local authority chief executives and leaders across the UK, along with a poll of over 2,000 members of the public. Almost three-quarters (74%) of council leaders are expecting some local authorities to plunge into a “serious financial crisis” next year.

 A whopping 74% of council respondents said that they expect some councils to get into serious financial crisis in the next year – a 20% increase in the level of failure compared to last year.

 Whilst it is appreciated we are living through challenging times, can the leader reassure members that NAC is not one of the local authorities likely to get into serious financial crisis this year or next and highlight what steps the executive is taking to ensure the long-term financial stability of this authority."

“Can the Portfolio Holder for Place advise what support is given to residents across North Ayrshire who are bereaved and require financial assistance organising funerals?"

"The Cabinet Member will be aware of changes about to be actioned with regard to the contract for the  provision of hearing (audiology) services to NAC by Action for Hearing (SAC lead authority for three Ayrshires). Several volunteers who provide key services in terms of manning audiology drop-in clinics in the Garnock Valley area advise that the first class services currently provided in North Ayrshire will drop from 7 clinics to 3 and that no home visits or care home visits will take place after July 2018. Such visits are absolutely vital, especially for older folk and those with disabilities. He will be aware that this service is provided mainly by volunteers whose commitment and professionalism is first class. I would ask the Cabinet Member to explain how local folk in North Ayrshire with hearing issues will be impacted by this reduction in service and outline how local people with hearing issues can be supported in future.”

“Why is it necessary to have an assisted crossing / lollipop person within the grounds of the new Largs Campus? Was there a survey carried out in advance and if so what was the result?”

“How much revenue was lost to the Largs Seafront Car Park Fund between Good Friday 30 March 2018 and Tuesday 15 May 2018 due to cars being unable to access spaces as a result of the location of a construction compound?”

“Why is it necessary to have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development at the Arran Ferry Terminal within Ardrossan Harbour and not for the Oil Rig Decommissioning Yard at Hunterston?”

“The i3 business area, Scotland’s Life Sciences Enterprise Zone, is situated within my ward. I am dismayed at the recent decision to snub i3, and consequently North Ayrshire, as the location for the new Medicine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre, a project that officers of this Council have worked on for some time and which formed a key part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal. Can the Leader advice Council what action is being taken following this most recent investment snub for North Ayrshire?”

“Universal Credit Full Service was rolled out in North Ayrshire on 22nd November 2017. Evidence from other areas where UC Full Service has been introduced have shown a sharp increase in rent arrears of UC claimants. Can the Leader of the Council give an early indication of the impact UC Full Service has had on North Ayrshire Council rent arrears?”

'The well respected and independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have recently commented that the blueprint for independence laid out by  SNP’s Growth Commission implies at least another decade of the sort of restraint on public spending that Scotland is currently experiencing. 

“Is the Leader of the Council still of  the view that investment by the Council in the purchase of a private sector retail businesses guarantees a return on capital?” 

"Unison have recently launched its apprenticeship charter which provides a tool to ensure apprenticeships deliver positive outcomes for both apprentices and employers. Well funded, high quality apprenticeships which lead to a meaningful job, make an important contribution in addressing skills gaps and tackling youth unemployment. The most effective apprenticeships are developed by a joint approach, involving employers, trade unions, training providers, and apprentices. This Council has a good record on provided high quality apprenticeships that delivers good outcomes for apprentices and also employers.  The Council therefore pledges to work with trade unions and partners to agree an Apprenticeship Charter for North Ayrshire Council."

“Keep Scotland Beautiful recorded that 82.8% of motorways and A road verges in Scotland were littered in 2016/17. Furthermore, 68% of Scottish adults believe the amount of roadside litter is problematic and 88% of Scottish adults believe it creates a negative impression of Scotland. 

Council understands the importance of keeping North Ayrshire's roads as litter free as possible to maximise its appeal for visitors and residents alike as well as for environmental health reasons, and believes that prevention is a key element in tackling the problem.

 Council therefore resolves to support Keep Scotland Beautiful's Roadside Litter Campaign, encouraging drives across North Ayrshire to "give their litter a lift" by conducting an ongoing publicity campaign, exploring options to optimise the presence and location of roadside bins and monitoring roadside litter levels.

Finally, in line with the Scottish Government Litter Strategy, Council supports ongoing efforts to strengthen legislation in order to remove barriers to enforcement in relation to littering from vehicles."

“North Ayrshire Council recognises the significance of Kilwinning Academy being awarded the LGBT Youth Scotland Bronze Charter Mark in recognition of the outstanding work of the school's LGBT group; their many areas of excellent practice; and their thoughtful and comprehensive journey leading to an improved culture throughout the school community; and that Council congratulate them on this outstanding achievement and encourages our other schools to emulate their success."

“That Council commends the Scottish Government for the passing of its new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) 2018 Act. This recognises as a criminal offence, not only the more obvious forms of domestic abuse involving physical and sexual violence, but also its more subtle manifestations, which may  take the form of isolating one’s partner from friends and relatives, controlling his/her day-to-day activities, and frightening, humiliating, degrading or punishing said partner or ex-partner, all of which can have a profound detrimental effect on the victims of such abuse. The Act also recognises that not only adults, but children under eighteen, can suffer from domestic abuse.

Council agrees to continue to work with our Community Planning partners and Community Justice Ayrshire partners to reduce domestic violence, raise awareness of the changes in the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act and promote the support which is available to families that have been, or are currently being, affected by domestic abuse.

 Further, that Council commends the work of North Ayrshire Women’s Aid and the Young Voices volunteers for their campaign to highlight the changes to the legislation, and also to promote healthy relationships for the young people of North Ayrshire.”

"That North Ayrshire Council congratulates Kilwinning’s Corsehill Primary School on its outstanding achievement of winning the prestigious National Competition in The Best Garden for One Planet Picnic Award at Gardening Scotland in Edinburgh in June 2018; understands that the pupils were tasked with cultivating their creative garden designs which reflected the 2018 competition themes of growing food for people, gardening for wildlife and the UN Sustainable Development Goals; notes that the entries were required to use plants that can be eaten and attract biodiversity, reuse materials that would otherwise be thrown away, and that the garden should use clean and affordable energy sources; Council also notes that Corsehill Primary School placed as joint winner of the My Favourite Garden Award."

Any other items which the Chair considers to be urgent.

Please note: this meeting may be filmed for live and subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site.  At the start of the meeting, the Provost will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed.

You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 1998.  Data collected during the webcast will be retained in accordance with the Council’s published policy, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site.

Generally, the press and public seating areas will not be filmed. However, by entering the Council Chambers and using the press or public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and consenting to the use and storage of those images and sound recordings and any information pertaining to you contained in them for webcasting or training purposes and for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available to the public.

If you have any queries regarding this and, in particular, if you believe that use and/or storage of any particular information would cause, or be likely to cause, substantial damage or distress to any individual, please contact committeeservices@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.