This meeting will be held on a predominantly physical basis but with provision, by prior notification, for remote attendance by Elected Members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003.  Where possible, the meeting will be live-streamed and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home. 

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 of the Council held on 1 November 2023 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 7 on the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copy enclosed)

Submit report by the Provost for the period covering 23 October - 3 December 2023 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Leader of the Council for the period covering 23 October - 3 December 2023 (copy enclosed).

Submit, for noting and for approval of any recommendations contained therein, the Minutes of Meeting of committees of the Council held in the period 9 June - 22 November 2023.

Submit report by the Executive Director (Place) on progress made by the short life working group to evaluate options to bring the former Forum building, former Ruby Tuesdays building and subsequent surrounding buildings that have fallen into disrepair back into a usable state and to provide information on the recently announced £20m Long-Term Plan for Towns Levelling Up Fund award for Irvine town centre (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services on the impact of treating “care experienced” as a protected characteristic for the purposes of Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) and seeking approval for the next steps in implementing this policy (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Head of Finance on the financial challenges facing the Council over the next 10 years and the likely financial position of the Council's General Fund in the medium term, in order to inform the development of budget proposals (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services on  progress with the review of North Ayrshire Integration Scheme ("the Scheme") further to the report to Council on 21 June 2023 (copy enclosed).

In terms of Standing Order 14, submit:-

“49% of secondary pupils in North Ayrshire had more than 10% absences in 2022-23.  What is that statistic for each of our secondary schools?”

"To ask the Cabinet Member for the current level of school meal debt?"

“Can the Cabinet Member please provide a definite/confirmed time and date for the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in North Ayrshire?”

”Can the Portfolio Holder provide an update on progress with the renovation of Marress House and indicate when completion of the building is expected?”

“To ask the Cabinet Member how many people have completed the online budget challenge so far?”

“During a Glasgow City Council, Full Council Meeting held on 9^th December 2022, the following motion, as adjusted, was unanimously approved:

“Council notes the campaign launched by Radio Clyde calling for lighting to be installed along the main routes of Glasgow’s Parks: notes that this renewed call follows on from experiences during COP26: and notes that this campaign is supported by a wide range of individuals and organisations. Women’s safety requires a multi-agency response, which includes cultural and societal change.”

It also states,

“Council therefore resolves to instruct officers to prepare a paper to the relevant City Policy Committee within 2 committee cycles on the necessary infrastructure to provide sensitive lighting solutions in our parks, including the wider implications: and specifically, the equality and climate impacts of such an undertaking to ensure that the widest range of health, social and climate benefits can be realised.”

My concern is for everyone’s safety using the unlit footpaths within North Ayrshire.

 Does North Ayrshire Council have any plans to light up the many footpaths across North Ayrshire that are not currently covered by street lighting of any kind?”

“Does the Portfolio-holder accept that anti-social behaviour is a real problem in North Ayrshire Schools and how does he suggest that the Education Minister's announcement of £900,000 funding for Councils (allowing £360 per school) be used to tackle the problem?”

“It was recently reported in the national press that in August this year, the UK Government offered cross-border support for those on long waiting lists in Scotland – including having individuals receive treatment out with Scotland – this was rejected by the Scottish Health Secretary. What impact will continued long NHS waiting lists have on HSCP services and finances?”

“What is the normal maximum occupational capacity for staff in both of Cunninghame House and Bridgegate House and how many staff attend each House on a minimum of two days per week?”

"Regal Court residential complex in Dalry now has 6 empty housing units. Some of these housing units have been empty for more than a year. It has come my attention that this complex may not be let out before the scheduled refurbishment work takes place, but with no date being given for works to commence this is being left open. Could the portfolio holder please provide an update to the situation at Regal Court?”

“Do you know how much of North Ayrshire Council’s budget is split between Statutory and Non-Statutory Spending – overall and by department?”

“Previously I had brought a motion to council regarding the Housing Allocation policy.  You may remember I accepted an amendment from your group on the grounds that the points I had put forward would be put towards the tenant consultation. I then asked you on 29 March for an update on this and you informed Council that the consultation was moving forward and would be taking place in the ‘summer/autumn 2023’ and the review would ‘conclude’ in late 2023.

It is now December and that has not happened. I am now led to believe that the consultation will now take place ‘some time next year’ – spring/summer. If summer is the case that will be a full year after you had previously told us.

Can you now provide confirmation of when the tenant consultation will take place?”

In terms of Standing Order 15, submit:-

“In terms of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, there will be additional funding for the Scottish Government through the Barnett formula of £545 million, approximately (but not exactly) £233m in this financial year and £281m in the next. The main measures generating consequentials are:

• the funding of the pay award for the NHS in England in 2023-24, which generates £235m

• 75% relief on Business Rates in England for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure ( RHL) sections in 2024-25, up to  a £110,000 cash gap, which generates £232m.

funding of the pay award for the NHS in England in 2023-24, which generates £235m;

• freezing the small business multiplier in England in 2024-25, which generates £32m.

The Scottish Government previously operated a Business Rates Relief Scheme based on Barnett Consequentials for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure in 2022/23 generating a Rebate of £463,606 for North Ayrshire RHL Businesses. 

Therefore, I hereby move that the Council agree that the Chief Executive write to the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and all MSPs representing North Ayrshire, requesting that the Scottish Government restart the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Relief scheme for 2024/25 thus saving 528 local businesses approximately £3,168,617 and ensuring the continuing vitality of our High Streets.”

“That this Council recognises that the existing bus services in North Ayrshire and across the wider region are not delivering for passengers or wider society within Strathclyde.

Council notes recent case for change report by SPT indicating some key issues being: 

• Above inflation increases to bus fares.
• Sustained patronage decline
• Shrinking network coverage.
• Congestion induced delays

With the absence of a National Bus Strategy, North Ayrshire Council welcomes the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) initiative to develop a Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS) and SPT’s Case for Change for the West of Scotland covering over 42% of Scotland's population, and 70% of all public transport journeys in Scotland.

Council also notes and welcomes that Phase 2 of the SRBS will consider all options to address such issues, including the provisions set out in the 2019 Transport (Scotland) Act, with the intention to present a preferred way(s) forward in March 2024 – including the proposed indicative operational and funding model, and timescales for delivery. Thereafter, work to develop a full business case for the preferred option(s) will be developed and Council welcomes this.

North Ayrshire Council encourages all in interested community groups and stakeholders to engage in SPTs consultation process when it commences work towards developing and delivering the SRBS and to ensure the bus network better serves the people and communities of North Ayrshire and the West of Scotland."

“North Ayrshire Council recognises Auchengate as a settlement with its own challenges, history and identity and not just as an outpost of Irvine.

I therefore move that:

1. A paper should be brought to Cabinet outlining proposals and any financial implications (i) for the formal recognition of Auchengate as a village in its own right with appropriate signage to include “Welcome to Auchengate” and (ii) detailing any possible  measures that can be taken for road calming measures on the Auchengate Road which connects South Ayrshire to the Meadowhead roundabout and including consideration of reduction of the speed limit on the road from 60MPH to 40MPH in line with the road speed on the South Ayrshire side of the boundary.

    

2. In any future review of comunity council boundaries etc we will put forward a case to recognise the settlement Auchengate in its own right.”

Any other items which the Provost considers to be urgent.

Please note: this meeting may be filmed/recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home, where it will be capable of repeated viewing.  At the start of the meeting, the Provost/Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed/recorded/live-streamed.

You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018.  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, using the press or public seating area or (by invitation) participating remotely in this meeting, 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 do not wish to participate in a recording, you should leave the meeting.  This will constitute your revocation of consent.

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 dataprotectionofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

John Bell
Timothy Billings
Marie Burns
Eleanor Collier
Joe Cullinane
Scott Davidson
Anthea Dickson
Stewart Ferguson
Todd Ferguson
Robert Foster
Scott Gallacher
John Glover
Tony Gurney
Alan Hill
Cameron Inglis
Margaret Johnson
Amanda Kerr
Christina Larsen
Shaun Macaulay
Jean McClung
Nairn McDonald
Matthew McLean
Louise McPhater
Davina McTiernan
Tom Marshall
Jim Montgomerie
Ian Murdoch
Donald Reid
Donald L Reid
Chloe Robertson
Ronnie Stalker
Angela Stephen
John Sweeney