In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be held remotely 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.  In the event that live-streaming is not possible, a recording of the meeting will instead be available to view at this location.

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

Submit the Provost's report for the period covering 2 November - 6 December 2020 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Leader of the Council covering the period 2 November - 6 December 2020 (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Chief Executive on the key Governance documentation regulating the operation of Council, its committees and officers (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services on the extent of the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ) for Hunterston B Nuclear Power Station, under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR) (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the financial challenges facing the Council over the next 10 years and examining 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 Executive Director (Place) on the proposed HRA capital investment programme and revenue budget for 2021/22 and the consequential rent levels (copy enclosed).

Submit report by the Interim Director (Communities) on support for community events (copy enclosed).

In terms of Standing Order 12, submit:-

“The SNP conference recently passed a motion in favour of a four-day week, which would cost Scotland’s public services at least £2.5 billion in the middle of a pandemic.

What would it cost North Ayrshire to enact this plan without cutting salaries or services if not funded in full by the Scottish Government and what percentage would the Council Tax need to be increased to fund this?”

“Does the Chair of Planning think that his constituents, our constituents, constituents in general in the North Coast and across North Ayrshire deserve the right to be represented by their Local Councillor at Planning Meetings?”

"Does the Leader of the Council think that there is an appropriate investment proposal from the Ayrshire Growth Deal in the established and recognised tourist destinations around North Ayrshire and can the Leader please state how much of the Ayrshire Growth Deal will be invested in tourism and improving the visitor experience on the Isle of Arran, Isle of Cumbrae and Largs areas?"

“I am sure that most, if not all, of my Councillor colleagues will have been contacted by business people at their wits end because they are falling through the gaps in Scotland's Covid financial support system. The initial Covid support structures were put in place in a hurry so that money could get out to support businesses and jobs, and there have been tweaks to the systems over the months. However, there are still significant numbers of businesses that are getting either no support or totally inadequate support. Without some prompt action these businesses will fail, taking with them the jobs and livelihoods of all involved.  

There is a light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines which the UK has already committed to and are now starting to come on stream. But for many businesses, such as coach operators, restaurants, and hotels - in fact any business that normally has people close to one another, it will be many months if not years of trying to keep going with hugely reduced capacity. 

We need to ensure that the fabric of our society remains intact during the Covid crisis so that jobs and livelihoods can be saved. 

Last week the Fraser of Allander Institute estimated that the Scottish government is still sitting on-around £1billion of Covid support money from the UK Government, which would indicate that it has the wherewithal to provide further help. 

So my question is could you tell us what opportunities is the Council taking in its dealings with the Scottish government to highlight the harm being done to jobs and livelihoods by the failings of the current Covid business support system, and how can the Council encourage the Scottish government to undertake a full review of the support system to ensure that money is being directed to where it is needed both now and into the future?”

"Following the excellent work done by NAC staff and volunteers from our Hubs across the council area throughout the pandemic, can the Portfolio Holder outline proposals for the future use of these facilities?”

“Can I ask the portfolio holder what discussions have been had with Peel in terms of Ayrshire Growth Deal proposals or any other proposals for the site? What projects have been suggested or proposed? What plans does the council have to ensure the early and full consultation with the local community takes place on any uses of the site?”

“There was a recent announcement that the Scottish government was making £30million available to local authorities to enable Councils to make discretionary payments to support local jobs. I was recently made aware that the Scottish government has changed its eligibility criteria for the Strategic Framework Business Fund, the effect of which is to remove payments from hotels, restaurants and food-based pubs not in Tier 4 that have been forced to close or severely limit their trading due to the Covid tier restrictions. Whilst the payments from this fund were totally inadequate they did at least offer at least a crumb of support. However, I am led to understand that at least some of these payments will continue because North Ayrshire will use its discretionary fund, and if that is the case then that is very much to be welcomed.

It would, therefore, appear to me that the £30million is not actually new money but rather that the Scottish government is recycling money its no longer giving to businesses. The worrying aspect of this is that it is almost as if the Scottish government appears to think that businesses in Tiers 2 and 3 which have closed without being forced to were 'at it' and happy to survive on state funds. The Scottish government does not seem to realise that there are many businesses that just don't have any customers due to the Covid restrictions and are closing as a last resort in order to survive. On Arran the majority of the island's hotels, pubs and restaurants are closed. Not because they fancy a bit of break, but because there are no customers due to the Covid restrictions of Tier 3 and temporarily shutting the doors is a painful survival strategy.

To enable us all to have a better understanding of this situation, could the Member tell me how many businesses in North Ayrshire will no longer be automatically eligible for a support payment under the Strategic Framework Business Fund, what proportion of the £30million has come to North Ayrshire for its discretionary use, and finally could he confirm how the Council is intending to use this discretionary fund to support local jobs?”

In terms of Standing Order 13, submit:-

“This council believes that no bonus is ever a sufficient alternative to a fair pay rise for public sector workers but given that the Scottish Government have announced a £500 payment for NHS and some social care staff, this Council calls on them to recognise the tireless efforts of the local government workforce in supporting our communities throughout the pandemic by making the £500 payment to council workers and all social care staff.”

Any other items which the Provost considers to be urgent.

Please note: this meeting may be recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site, where it will be capable of repeated viewing.  At the start of the meeting, the Provos will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being recorded/live-streamed.

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