Latest news with #NorthAyrshireCouncil
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Ayrshire beaches named among best in Scotland
Eight Ayrshire beaches from Millport to Girvan have been named as winners of Scotland's Beach Awards. Eight of Ayrshire 's finest beaches have been named as some of the best in Scotland after winning recognition in the Scotland's Beach Awards. Ayr South Beach, Barassie Beach, Girvan Beach, Irvine Beach, Maidens Beach, Newton Beach at Millport, Prestwick Beach and Troon South Beach all met the criteria and high standards set out to be recognised. Scotland's Beach Award, organised by Keep Scotland Beautiful, celebrates the achievements of well managed beaches across Scotland. The prestigious flag helps visitors and locals chose where they want to visit, with the knowledge that the beach is being looked after for people and the environment. Only Fife with 13 award-winning beaches had more listed than Ayrshire as 52 beaches across Scotland were recognised. Both Maidens Beach and Troon South Beach have retained their award status for more than a decade - 12 and 10 years respectively - while Newton Beach on Great Cumbrae has made a comeback after flood defence works prevented it from entering over the past couple of years. Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: 'Scotland's award-winning beaches demonstrate excellent beach management and we hope that all who visit this year play their part in keeping them beautiful. 'I'd like to congratulate all those who do so much to protect, maintain and enhance our beaches, protecting the sand and sea for us all to enjoy – from the local authorities to the communities who care so passionately about these phenomenal assets. 'Scotland's Beach Awards are the benchmark for quality, celebrating clean, well-managed and sustainable beaches and it is testament to those who look after them that so many have received awards over decades. 'We would love to encourage more communities to work towards accreditation of their beaches and are currently seeking sponsorship of the programme so we can enhance capacity and capability in communities which boast stunning beaches. 'Please get in touch if you can help us.' Vicki Miller, VisitScotland chief executive, said: 'Scotland has thousands of miles of coastline, providing a huge choice of beaches to enjoy stunning scenery and unique experiences. 'Whether visitors are looking for tranquil islands and rural escapes or the bustling cities and towns boasting serene shores, there is something for everyone. 'Congratulations to all the winners for their achievements. It is particularly encouraging to see some beaches making a return to the awards. This demonstrates a real dedication to improving the visitor experience and environment. 'Our communities, along with our natural and cultural heritage, are what make Scotland so special. It is vital we protect and preserve them for the future.' North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: 'Newton Beach has a long track record of receiving this national beach award and unfortunately due to the flood defence works it couldn't participate the past couple of years. 'We are delighted this high-quality beach and valued community asset has been recognised again.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Funding secured by Three Towns group
The group is celebrating an important funding award. Youngsters in Stevenston will have an opportunity to enjoy hot meals and fun activities at their weekly club thanks to funding secured through the efforts of North Ayrshire Council. The Three Towns Locality team helped Hayocks Community Association to receive an almost £20,000 funding boost. Received via the National Lottery Community Benefit Fund, the £19,225 donation has been secured to provide the weekly Hayocks Youth Cafe group and its hot meals provision during the weekly youth club. Funded in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, The National Lottery, and KA:Leisure, the youth café takes place every Thursday at Hayocks Community Hall from 6pm until 8pm. Their project ties directly into the locality priorities for the Three Towns to increase civic pride, encourage community engagement and boost overall wellbeing. For young people aged 11 and upwards, it is being run to provide a safe and inclusive space for health, wellbeing and cyber activities with free hot meals and snacks provided. Part of the council's Community Learning and Development (CLD) team, the Three Towns Community Development Worker supporting the project, Graham Hunter, said: 'We are delighted to have recently helped Hayocks Community Association to apply for National Lottery funding to achieve their aspirations for this thriving community café for young people. 'Our team will continue to support them by providing an action-packed schedule of youth work activities alongside our partner K:A Leisure. 'Over the summer there will be football and fitness coaching and plans are already underway for health and wellbeing dance and movement sessions. 'There is also an opportunity for the young people aged between 11 and 16 to take part in the Cyber First youth work programme Cyber Explorers via the youth group. 'So, if sports aren't your thing, you can get involved in this to play retro games and gain a qualification that centres around cyber safety and digital careers. There's something here for everyone.' The idea for the specific youth group came from the CLD Locality Team and the project has been set up in partnership with Hayocks Community Association and Hayocks Tenants and Residents Association. Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands, welcomed the funding announcement. He said: 'The impact that the Community Association is making is tremendous. Well done to everyone involved in securing this significant National Lottery funding. It is brilliant to see the fantastic collaboration between them, the Three Towns Locality Partnership and local partners to alleviate poverty and empower residents of all ages." Dawn Hogg, Anti-Poverty Manager at Hayocks Community Association, added: 'Many of the young people and families in the surrounding area are impacted as the Cost-of-Living Crisis rages on, this is why the sustainability of our new youth group is vital as we are passionate about lightening the load and alleviating the challenges of rising costs. 'The recent funding boost from The National Lottery is a huge win for us to help to support some of our most vulnerable residents, providing the funds needed for the meals we're providing over the next two years. 'Not only is it going to help us grow and provide opportunities for young people to thrive, it will also be one less meal to worry about each week for families who may be struggling. 'Thank you to North Ayrshire Council, KA:Leisure and the Three Towns Locality team for their continued support in helping us to identify funding streams and for their ongoing commitment to the Hayocks Youth Café and Community Hall.' Offering signposting to support and training opportunities, Dawn's team also operate the Tap End community food larder from the community centre – part of the council's Fairer Food Network, where members who are facing food insecurities can access their weekly grocery shopping at a subsidised cost. Mary Frew, Hayocks Community Association Chair, added: 'We are over the moon at the recent funding boost. 'We're only two weeks into providing the meals at the youth group and the young people are loving it. We've had a fantastic turnout with between 20 and 25 youngsters attending weekly so far, and we are optimistic for the future. 'If you are a young person aged 11+ and want to meet new friends, take part in exciting activities and enjoy a relaxed meal with us each Thursday, why not come along?' Keep up to date with what is happening at Hayocks Community Centre by following their Facebook pag e.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New mental health facility opens in Irvine
The West Road Centre aims to change the way the residents of Ayrshire and Arran receive mental health care. A new centre that aims to change the way the residents of Ayrshire and Arran receive mental health care has been officially opened by North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson. The West Road Centre in Irvine will act as a centre for outpatient services for the all-age Community Eating Disorder Service (CEDS) and the Neuro-CAMHS team (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), providing a modern, bespoke space for individuals to receive the support they need. The building, which is owned by North Ayrshire Council, was previously used by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership's Children and Families Service. It has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment to create a calm and welcoming environment designed specifically to suit the needs of clients and staff teams, with a treatment room, kitchen area, clinical rooms, and a sound-proof therapeutic room that can be used for activities such as music therapy. Provost Dickson cut the ribbon at the official opening before guests from North Ayrshire Council, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the three Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnerships - as well as members of the team involved in the redesign and construction work - enjoyed a tour of the centre to see what it has to offer. Caroline Cameron, Director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: "We are delighted to open the West Road Centre, which offers a purpose-designed space that will benefit individuals from across Ayrshire and Arran who are open to the Neuro-CAMHS and Community Eating Disorder services, many of whom would have previously been treated on a hospital outpatient basis. "As the lead partnership for mental health in Ayrshire, this investment shows our commitment to improving the experiences of those using our mental health services, allowing us to provide crucial support in a community based, welcoming and familiar space." Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, added: "We are proud to have been able to support the Health and Social Care Partnership with this fantastic project. This new centre will not only be of great benefit to those in our communities who use these services, but the re-purposing of the West Road building also helps to deliver on our ambition for council-owned premises to be utilised in the best possible way to deliver service improvements across the board." After cutting the ribbon to officially open the centre, Provost Dickson said: "I was honoured to be involved in opening this fantastic new facility. The space has been very sympathetically designed to ensure it best meets the needs of clients, offering flexible spaces that can be used for a wide variety of treatments and activities. "The more relaxed environment can only be a benefit to clients during what can be an already challenging time for them, with the space being refurbished to meet the needs of the children, young people and adults who might access services from West Road." Councillor Margaret Johnson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at North Ayrshire Council, said: "Not only will the West Road Centre provide a better experience for clients, it will also be of benefit to staff teams, bringing them all together under one roof. "With mental health teams across Ayrshire operating at full capacity, we look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the Health and Social Care Partnerships in South and East Ayrshire to provide efficient, high-quality mental health services for those who most need them."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apatura gains planning permission for Scottish 100MW BESS project
Renewable energy storage provider Apatura has received planning permission from the Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit and North Ayrshire Council for a new 100MW battery energy storage system (BESS) near Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. This is a step forward in the UK's efforts to enhance energy resilience and transition to renewable power sources. Located half a kilometre north-east of Kilwinning, the project will occupy eight acres of land east of Old Glasgow Road. The Kilwinning BESS is part of a growing cluster of similar developments in the region, contributing to the nation's sustainable energy infrastructure. The approval marks Apatura's tenth successful BESS planning consent since January 2024, expanding its total consented BESS portfolio to more than 1.6GW. The Scottish government's Energy Consents Unit stated in the letter granting consent that: 'Scottish Ministers consider the proposed development will support the resilience of the electricity network through the electricity it generates and the additional technical services it can provide to the electricity system operator… once operational, the project will provide essential flexibility to the grid, storing excess renewable energy for use when it's needed most.' The construction and operation of the Kilwinning BESS will create direct employment opportunities, as well as indirect jobs within the supply chain and related services. The BESS will play a crucial role in achieving the Scottish government's objective of sourcing 50% of Scotland's overall energy consumption from renewables and establishing a net-zero energy system by 2045. Apatura chief development officer Andrew Philpott stated: 'BESS sites like the Kilwinning development are integral for enabling Scotland and the UK to achieve their net-zero targets. 'Not only does battery storage help manage our renewable energy supply and demand, it also helps bolster the stability of our national grid and boost local economies as well.' In February 2025, Apatura received planning permission for a 400MW BESS near Stirling, Scotland. "Apatura gains planning permission for Scottish 100MW BESS project" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Glasgow Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Man says North Ayrshire Council bin turned up in Germany
The man posted an image of the bin, which is branded with North Ayrshire Council and has the company name SSI Schaffer printed on, to Dull Men's Club - a page on Facebook. Taking to the social media page, the German resident wrote: "A wheelie bin from the North Ayrshire Council appears in front of my company. In the middle of Germany. "I'm confused and curious what might be the story behind it. Is someone in the North Ayrshire Region missing his wheelie bin?" (Image: Screenshot taken from Facebook) People were quick to poke fun at the strange mystery in comments. One person said: "Probably the bin went to watch the Scotland football team play in Germany and just stayed there." Another said: "Sitting in East Ayrshire just now wondering WTAF." A third added: "This is brilliant. I live in North Ayrshire, would love to know how it got there." North Ayrshire Council told STV News that the street in Germany was 'definitely not part of our regular collection route' and is curious as to how it ended up there. A spokesperson said: 'We can say that this bin was manufactured more than 20 years ago by a German company, SSI Schaffer, so it may have been a spare by the manufacturer which found its way into local use. 'As bins are the property of residents, it's also possible that it could have been taken to Germany by a former resident moving to the area and may have been used to store items in the move. 'However, the bin ended up here, we would be delighted to find out.'
