News

Want to stay up-to-date with what is happening in East Ayrshire?

Here you will find a round-up of the latest news about the area.

Business and Trade – East Ayrshire Council

The creation of a brand new green breathing space in the centre of Kilmarnock is progressing fast, thanks to a recent decision at East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet.

St Marnock Square – the temporary title which the working group are using until a permanent name is agreed – is being prepared for its next stage of development thanks to an input of up to £500k from the Economic Regeneration and Development Capital Fund.

This funding, together with £200k of Common Good Funding will be spent on the creation of an innovative landscaped open space for public use, right at the corner of Titchfield Street and St Marnock Street.

The site has become vacant with the demolition of the row of shops which for many years housed Mothercare.  As part of a wider programme of community led regeneration, its future design is being determined by a process of local consultation headed up by  Celebrate Kilmarnock working with the public, local businesses, third sector organisations and East Ayrshire Council.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building and Regeneration said: “This a major part of a much larger programme of regeneration planned for the town centre.  We’re currently clearing and turfing the site while the consultation  and design process continues. Using support from Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

“Working with our partners we were able to commission landscape design company ERZ Studio to draw up  a choice of concept designs for the site which were narrowed down by a focus group led by Celebrate Kilmarnock.

The final design is available to view on  our St.Marnock Square webpage. Securing this council funding will now allow us to bring this concept design to fruition and allow us to appoint a contractor to transform the site.

“At the moment contractors are still working to clear and tidy the site. The next step will be to erect some creative signage showing the designs and explaining what will happen with Kilmarnock’s newest green space in the years to come.”

Celebrate Kilmarnock’s Elaine Cowan said: “Celebrate Kilmarnock’s aim is to ensure that local people are directly involved in owning, designing and shaping the future of our town. We hope everyone will agree that the transformation of this site offers an exciting opportunity to vastly improve the appearance of a gateway entrance to our town centre.

“We’ve already had overwhelming positive feedback on the results of the demolition of the derelict shops, which range from the amount of light; new town vistas; and opening up new views of the river. So, it is hugely encouraging to hear that the Council has approved further funds to bring the community’s ideas for this site to life and help transform this corner of town into something special.”

Peter Telfer, Chair of Kilmarnock Business Association agreed, saying: “It is fantastic to now see the former Mothercare site clear. It creates a real sense of the opportunity available for St Marnock Square. I would encourage all businesses in Kilmarnock to be part of the ongoing consultation process, not just in the short-term, but in the longer term as the site gets developed. Many avenues are being explored and it is exciting to consider what a valuable asset this site will become to the Town Centre in the future.”

Preparations are underway to build a new access road at the gable end of the site. Work on this new road will start once the demolition contractors, Caskie Demolition , finish their work at the end of July.

Elsewhere around the town, work is progressing on the “Academy Steps”, helping revitalise the link between Kilmarnock’s Cultural Quarter, centred around CentreStage’s former Kilmarnock Academy Building, the Dick Institute, and the town centre.

Car parking will also be created at the former Conservative Club site near the Palace Theatre. And further up King Street, Celebrate Kilmarnock are running a consultation on the “White Tile” building.

Councillor Reid explains: “Again, working in conjunction with Celebrate Kilmarnock we’re exploring a new use for a renovated White Tile building.

“Together with Celebrate Kilmarnock we’ve submitted a bid for grants from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Celebrate Kilmarnock has formulated an ambitious plan to turn it into a thriving hub of creativity and enterprise, providing space for artists, artisans and budding entrepreneurs to run their businesses, hold meetings and events and exhibit their work in an inclusive welcoming atmosphere.”

Find out more about St Marnock Square, the White Tile Building and the Academy Steps on East Ayrshire Council’s Town Centre Regeneration webpages

 

Posted: June 30, 2021, 8:46 am

Elected members have unanimously agreed to the demolition of the iconic multi-storey car park in Kilmarnock town centre.

The decision was taken at East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet meeting earlier this week and is based predominantly on health and safety recommendations, taking account of the deterioration of the building, the low occupancy levels in recent months and the considerable costs required to restore it to an acceptable and safe standard.

In January 2020, Cabinet had previously agreed to allocate £3.165m for the repair and improvement of the car park. However, more recently, further investigatory works have revealed that the general condition of the building is much worse than previously anticipated and that any interventions would only extend the usability of the building for up to 5 years.

The demolition, which members agreed should happen ‘as soon as is practicable’ will open up a highly attractive site in the heart of Kilmarnock, presenting a blank canvas for future town centre regeneration opportunities.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, welcomed the decision. He said: “This is the right decision – health and safety is of paramount importance and we’ve responded promptly to concerns raised by local businesses and to the findings in the new structure reports.

“This opens up new opportunities for the continued regeneration of our town centre. We are investing in sites all across the town, including St Marnock’s Square and the Cultural Quarter, including Centrestage, the Palace Theatre, Grand Hall and Dick Institute, and now, only a stone’s throw away, we will have one of our prime sites available for redevelopment.

“As ever, we will engage with our communities, including our partners Celebrate Kilmarnock, to scope out options for this site and we can look forward to receiving proposals at a Cabinet meeting in the not too distant future.

“The money saved by opting for demolition will be reinvested into the £50m pot earmarked for wider town centre regeneration projects including a multi-million pound leisure and wellbeing hub in the heart of our communities.”

As part of this proposal members also agreed to the construction of new car parks on land acquired at Grange Street, Sturrock Street and London Road, to remedy the loss of spaces within the multi storey. The cost of creating these new facilities is included within the £2.544m earmarked as part of the demolition costs.

The full report is available on the Council’s website.

Posted: June 17, 2021, 3:40 pm

Plans to develop the road infrastructure and create parking within Kilmarnock’s Cultural Quarter will now go ahead after a decision was taken at the recent meeting of East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet.

At the heart of the Cultural Quarter is Centrestage, Ayrshire’s Arts Academy, which was established back in 2006. Centrestage moved from their original site at James Little Street in Kilmarnock to the former Kilmarnock Academy site, officially receiving the keys to the building in 2019 and since then the former school has undergone a complete transformation.

As part of this development, the Ayrshire Roads Alliance commissioned a report to evaluate the traffic, parking and access impacts of the new facility. The report concluded that an access road would be required from London Road directly to Elmbank Drive/ Rennie Street and following approval from Cabinet, planning permission was sought, and granted in 2018, for the new access junction and two-way spine road. Planning was also granted for a public car park accommodating 93 general and five accessible parking spaces, which will improve parking for the town centre, the Grand Hall and Palace Theatre complex and Centrestage.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: “I am delighted that we have reached an agreement on additional funding for the new road layout and public car park for Kilmarnock’s Cultural Quarter. By ensuring that we have the correct infrastructure in place we can help the Arts to thrive locally, while also improving access to the town centre.

“The regeneration of our town centres is more important than ever. The pandemic has had a significant impact on our local businesses and we are committed to working with them, through Celebrate Kilmarnock and local business groups, to ensure that local voices are at the heart of any decision-making and that East Ayrshire is an even greater place to live, work and play. The money that is being invested in the Cultural Quarter will attract more families into the town and boost the economy, while the new auditorium in Centrestage and improvements to the Grand Hall and Palace theatre complex will help to significantly improve the day and night time economy.”

Following the agreement to reallocate funding to meet the increased estimated costs of the access road and new public car park, detailed plans will now be developed for a Construction Management Traffic Plan that will be clearly communicated to the local community and notice of the works will be provided at the earliest opportunity.

The Ayrshire Roads Alliance has also agreed to layout and line Centrestage’s carpark, providing in kind support to the project.

Posted: June 17, 2021, 12:22 pm

Knockroon Estate, on the outskirts of Cumnock, has been unveiled as the location for a ground breaking, world-leading energy project which will revolutionise how renewable energy supplies are generated, stored and used by communities in the area.

The National Energy Research Demonstrator Project (NERD) will focus on Cumnock as a Regional Community Living Lab for Just Transition to Renewable Power, Heat and Transport, and a centre of academic research and innovation thanks to an investment of £17 million from the UK Government backed up with £7.5 million from East Ayrshire Council – as part of the £251.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The NERD project will develop a centre of excellence for clean energy research, harnessing existing and new renewable energy technologies (such as hydrogen and geothermal heat) to provide solutions to produce and store energy and create a new, more flexible energy grid.

Cumnock and the surrounding area provides a unique location to investigate a wide mix of energy technologies. This is due to its unique geography, the extent and scale of renewable energy developments in the vicinity (in particular windfarms) and the past history of mineral extraction activity in the area. The area  represents the challenges that need to be overcome nationally and internationally if net zero targets and low cost energy generation are to be realised. Where solutions can be developed for the Cumnock area, through the NERD project, they can be widely replicable in other Scottish, UK and European towns.

A number of sites around Cumnock were considered as potential locations for the NERD Centre of Excellence, including Caponacre Industrial Estate; land to the east of Auchinleck Road in Cumnock; the former Auchinleck Academy site and land on the Knockroon Estate. Following assessment and evaluation of all the land options in relation to the objectives of the NERD, and in consultation with the key partners involved in the project, Knockroon Estate emerged as the preferred location.

This site offers a prominent location within Cumnock that will realise the ambitions and activities of the NERD Centre of Excellence that have been proposed within the Outline Business Case. It has also been confirmed that the Council will activate a clause which was part of a Minute of Agreement agreed between East Ayrshire Council and the Developer in November 2010, relating the Knockroon Masterplan – subject to both parties reaching agreement on the final design of the building relative to the Knockroon Design Guidance.

A key project objective is for the NERD project to maximise links with East Ayrshire schools and further education establishments across Scotland as well as maximise job creation and work experience opportunities. The aim is to enhance the offering of existing STEM related education within schools and in so doing help improve options for employment opportunities and, in the longer term, tackle deprivation across communities within the Cumnock area and East Ayrshire as a whole. The Knockroon Estate site offers the best opportunity to maximise educational and physical links to the new Barony Campus, with the Centre of Excellence offering practical STEM courses for all ages.

In addition, the location of the site will offer the potential opportunity to create an affordable low carbon heat network with the Barony Campus, existing housing infrastructure and the new housing being delivered as part of the Knockroon Masterplan.

Whilst the preferred location for the NERD Centre of Excellence is the Knockroon Estate in Cumnock, there will be significant NERD activity within Auchinleck and other surrounding communities over the lifetime of the project. The programme of demonstrator projects aims to introduce low carbon solutions with much of the activity taking place in these communities, including developing low carbon hubs at key locations. The NERD project team will continue to work closely with all communities in the south of East Ayrshire to better understand their low carbon aspirations and how the NERD project could help develop and facilitate community energy projects.

Karl Doroszenko, Development Planning and Regeneration Manager with East Ayrshire Council is heading up the project team for the NERD project.

He said: “This is exciting news for the communities of Auchinleck and Cumnock. The NERD project will bring many benefits and advantages to these local communities over the lifetime of the project – and beyond – as the low carbon alternatives start to revolutionise  modern day living.

“Agreeing the location for the Centre of Excellence is the first major milestone for this project and we look forward to working with Faithful and Gould, the appointed design team, to finalise the designs for the NERD Centre of Excellence at Knockroon Estate.”

While subject to planning permission it is anticipated, that the construction for the Centre of Excellence building and the two Demonstrator Houses will begin in 2022, with completion in autumn 2023.

More information on East Ayrshire website  and  https://www.ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk/

Posted: March 22, 2021, 3:20 pm

School leavers in East Ayrshire will benefit from a raft of new opportunities thanks to a £30m, Scotland wide initiative funded by the Scottish Government’s Young Person Guarantee (YPG)

Announced in November 2020, East Ayrshire’s £743k share of the fund will work be used to support 100 of the area’s most disengaged young people, giving them extra help to develop their confidence and skills to prepare them for further training and long term employment.

Together with the £6m Developing the Young Workforce scheme, which is funding co-ordinators in every secondary school in Scotland, East Ayrshire’s Education and Employability Services will work with partner agencies to support these young people, helping them make the transition from school into the world of work.

East Ayrshire’s share of the Young Person Guarantee Fund, which will run until March 2022, will be used to provide a bespoke package of mentoring and support for the 100 young people who are not finding it easy to engage with traditional routes to further education, training or employment.

With extra help from additional staff to help them prepare for their future, and ongoing support as they progress, it’s hoped many of them will eventually be able to take advantage of all the employability support and training courses usually on offer to young people and job seekers in East Ayrshire.

In the longer term, it’s hoped many of this group will be able to take up Modern Apprenticeships, and to help kickstart this opportunity, East Ayrshire Council has committed to establish 40 Supported Apprenticeships.  Councillor Fiona Campbell, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, East Ayrshire Council welcomed the decision.

“This funding is a welcome boost to our existing employability efforts, and allows us to invest more time and resources to help those who most need it to overcome difficulties, build their skills and confidence and eventually find fulfilment in further education, training and work.

“Our Employability and Education Teams work with both young people and employers to match people with potential, equip them with skills, and find work placements, apprenticeships and on the job training for existing employees. The Young Person’s Guarantee will forge stronger links between Education and Employability to ease the transition between school and future destinations.

“At the moment, when all young people have had their education and home lives so disrupted by Covid, this programme will make a huge difference in how we all move forward, helping us find enriching and positive outcomes for so many who would have struggled otherwise. At the same time it’s a huge positive for local businesses, who will be supported practically and financially to recruit and train a whole new cohort to sustain and grow their future success.

“All in all, this is a win, win situation.”

For more information about Modern Apprenticeships, training and employability visit our webpage

Posted: March 10, 2021, 10:38 am

A project that seeks to improve the health and lifestyles of communities across Ayrshire is set to move forward, as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

At a recent meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee, the Full Business Case for the ‘Working for a Healthy Economy’ project was approved and officially signed off by all partners. Scottish Government will commit £5 million to the project.

This proposal forms part of the wider £251 million Ayrshire Growth Deal plans and is seen as a vital element in reducing the impact poor health can have on employment.

Before Covid-19 struck, Ayrshire had almost 21,000 people claiming health related benefits. Of the Job Seekers Allowance/ Universal Credit claimant group of 10,785 pre Covid, up to a third were estimated to have health issues as a barrier to employment, even though this is not severe enough for them to qualify for a health-related benefit. Health is clearly a significant barrier to economic activity and productivity for too many people in Ayrshire.

And the importance of public health and the need for a healthy and productive workforce has never been greater in these covid-19 times.

The project recognises that doing more of the same will have little impact. It will target large scale investment in occupational health services to ensure that Ayrshire has the requisite workforce to drive economic growth in the future.

The unique aspect of this AGD project is that it offers a person centred and criteria free, single access point to provide focused health support across Ayrshire.

NHS Salus have been delivering health supports to unemployed North Ayrshire residents since 2016, but within the ‘Working for a Healthy Economy’ project they will also cater for employed people with health issues and support employers.

Over the next five years, the AGD team hope to support nearly 10,000 people, which will include helping approximately 1,300 unemployed people across Ayrshire back into work.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council and chair of the Joint Committee said: “The Working for a Healthy Economy project addresses a key pillar of Community Wealth Building: fair employment and just labour markets. Health is a key element of Fair Work and as such close links between the CWB project and Working for a Healthy Economy will be established.

“Poor health is a constraint to economic growth and low levels of inclusive economic growth impact
negatively on health. It is very much a vicious circle and one that needs addressed.

“When we were working on this project it was clear that doing more of the same wouldn’t cut it. There are lots of good work being done across Ayrshire. What we are proposing involves elements which have already been tested successfully with the opportunity to scale this up across Ayrshire and develop one simple model of support.

“The aim of the project is to reach the working age population of Ayrshire who are experiencing
health, wellbeing or circumstantial barriers to work and ensure that they receive targeted interventions and coaching support to achieve progress. While specific groups will be targeted, the intention is to create a criteria free service, as we believe this has resulted in previous services of this type being too restrictive and confusing.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said:

“It is great to see projects progressing positively since the signing of the Deal last year, helping Ayrshire become a leading area for inclusive growth in Scotland. By targeting investment in occupational health services, the project will ensure that Ayrshire has the requisite workforce to take advantage of the Growth Deal and wider economic opportunities helping to drive inclusive growth throughout.

“The Scottish Government is committing £103 million pounds to the Ayrshire Growth Deal, which will help drive future growth and prosperity and unlock investment. In a period of economic uncertainty and challenge, delivery of the Ayrshire Growth Deal is more important than ever with the projects re-invigorating the regional economy.

“Across Scotland we have so far committed more than £1.9 billion over the next 10 to 20 years to City Region and Growth Deals and additional investments.”

View full report here.

Posted: March 10, 2021, 10:37 am

A new economic model will be the cornerstone of the Ayrshire Growth Deal as it develops over the coming months.

At a recent meeting of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee, the Full Business Case for the Ayrshire Growth Deal Community Wealth Building Fund was approved and the project was officially signed off by all partners.

The £3m Scottish Government funding will go towards new Community Wealth Building officers across the whole of the Ayrshire region to support local businesses and community organisations deliver Community Wealth Building ambitions and a dedicated Fair Work Ayrshire team who will work closely with Ayrshire Anchor Institutions and major employers to establish Ayrshire as a Fair Work region.

A range of targets have been set to ensure that hundreds of Ayrshire businesses are supported over the next three years, with the project expected to commence in Spring 2021 following the recruitment of project staff.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council and chair of the Joint Committee said: “Community Wealth Building and its principles will be key to everything we do across Ayrshire as we support the economic recovery and renewal of the region.

“The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities in society and at the heart of the Ayrshire Growth Deal will be equity and inclusivity. The Growth Deal represents a £251 million Community Wealth Building opportunity, with every project delivered with a focus on sharing the benefits and rewards from the investment across our communities.

“Our Community Wealth Building ambitions have already grown significantly in recent months with the launch of our Anchor Charter during Challenge Poverty Week 2020 and the expansion to an Ayrshire-wide Community Wealth Building Commission, positioning Ayrshire as the first Community Wealth Building region in Scotland.”

“This £3m Community Wealth Building Fund will provide support to our businesses at a time when support has never been more needed and create a regional economy based on wellbeing and inclusion.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said:
“It is great to see projects progressing positively since the signing of the Deal last year, helping Ayrshire become a leading area for inclusive growth in Scotland.

“I am delighted to see the Community Wealth Building project move into delivery. This project backed by £3 million of Scottish Government investment will advance the procurement, employment, ownership and asset pillars of Community Wealth Building, across the public, private and social economy of the region; ensuring that Ayrshire can be an exemplar for the rest of Scotland in Community Wealth Building.

“The Scottish Government is committing £103 million pounds to the Ayrshire Growth Deal, which will help drive future growth and prosperity and unlock investment. In a period of economic uncertainty and challenge, delivery of the Ayrshire Growth Deal is more important than ever with the projects re-invigorating the regional economy.
“Across Scotland we have so far committed more than £1.9 billion over the next 10 to 20 years to City Region and Growth Deals and additional investments.”

The £251m Ayrshire Growth Deal will see a range of projects delivered with a clear focus on innovation, productivity and inequality. The deal will create new business spaces, improve infrastructure and connectivity, and boost research and development ventures, while growing local talent and providing new opportunities and routes into employment for people throughout Ayrshire.

Construction at HALO Kilmarnock is already well underway to transform the former Johnnie Walker site into a dynamic commercial, educational and advanced training hub, with focus on sustainability and low carbon energy.

Other projects already progressing include the National Energy Research Demonstrator Project in Cumnock, which will develop leading edge technologies for energy generation and storage. At Prestwick, a major programme will strengthen its position as a UK centre of excellence in space and aerospace, while the development and regeneration of The Great Harbour, at Irvine Harbourside and Ardeer, will create a unique coastal tourist destination.

The Deal will also look to greatly improve digital connectivity across the region. The proposals represent a tremendous opportunity to improve the wellbeing of communities and the economy.

View the full report here.

Posted: March 10, 2021, 10:36 am

A NEW website promoting the Ayrshire Growth Deal and the range of ambitious projects for the region has been launched.

The UK and Scottish governments are each investing £103 million in the deal, along with a further £45.5 million from the three Ayrshire Councils.  The two governments and three Ayrshire councils signed the full deal agreement in November 2020, starting the delivery of a 10-15 year programme of transformative projects across the region.

And with some projects now nearing the delivery stage, with work set to start imminently, a website –www.ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk –  will provide more details and give regular updates and progress reports.

As well as a news section, there will be pictures, frequently answered questions and all you need to know about the Deal which has the potential to transform the region.

The signing of the deal is the culmination of five years’ work by the councils, partner organisations and both governments.

The deal will galvanise efforts to develop key strategic sites and sectors in Ayrshire.  It will help leverage private sector investment of more than £300 million, with the potential of creating up to 7,000 new jobs.

Speaking as the website went live, Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council and chair of the Joint Committee said: “When we signed off the financial arrangements in November we always knew that 2021 was the year that we would be able to drive forward with our Ayrshire Growth Deal ambitions.

“With us now pressing ahead with the plans we felt this was the time to launch our website which will help us provide relevant information and allow people to track our progress.

“Obviously the last few months have been uncertain for all of us. But throughout the ongoing pandemic we have been steadfast in our commitment to the Ayrshire Growth Deal and the belief that better times are ahead.

“We hope the website reflects our aspirations and will give us a platform to provide regular updates.”

A range of projects will be delivered across Ayrshire with a clear focus on innovation, productivity and inequality.  The deal will create new business spaces, improve infrastructure and connectivity, and boost research and development ventures, while growing local talent and providing new opportunities and routes into employment for people throughout Ayrshire.

Construction at HALO Kilmarnock is already well underway to transform the former Johnnie Walker site into a dynamic commercial, educational and advanced training hub, with focus on sustainability and low carbon energy.

Other projects already progressing include the National Energy Research Demonstrator Project in Cumnock, which will develop leading edge technologies for energy generation and storage.  At Prestwick, a major programme will strengthen its position as a UK centre of excellence in space and aerospace, while the development and regeneration of The Great Harbour, at Irvine Harbourside and Ardeer, will create a unique coastal tourist destination.

The Deal will also look to greatly improve digital connectivity across the region. The proposals represent a tremendous opportunity to improve the well-being of communities and the economy.

Posted: February 26, 2021, 10:44 am

1-5 March 2021 is Modern Apprenticeship Week Scotland. It’s is a time to share and celebrate the value that apprenticeships can bring to individuals, employers and the economy.

This year’s theme is “Business Backing Talent”, showcasing the great things that happen when employers back talent through apprenticeships.

Over the past year we’ve all had to adapt to challenging times. Employers and learning providers have had to be particularly innovative to help apprentices continue to learn, achieve and progress. They’ve worked hard to develop new and safe ways to recruit and train, in pursuing their commitment to backing talent.

There’s more support from Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to help individuals have the chance of an apprenticeship and for businesses to benefit from employing apprentices, upskilling their workforces and planning for the future.

In East Ayrshire Council, our Employability Teams are dedicated to joining the dots. Recruiting, finding and giving ongoing support to appropriate placements for our talented people both within the Council and with local employers.

Our Training Officers liaise between businesses and their apprentices to find the best fit, assessing training needs, and filling skills gaps to allow businesses to thrive and grow their workforce with highly skilled teams.

This week we’re sharing the stories of Amy and Erin, two talented people who chose Modern Apprenticeships as the route to gain nationally recognised qualifications and skills and have now gone on to find permanent jobs with excellent prospects as a result. They are both delighted with the way that the system worked for them.

Amy 

 Amy works with East Ayrshire Council. She started her Apprenticeship, working in Planning and Economic Development. During her time there she also gained work experience in Business Gateway, before finding a permanent job with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership. See Amy’s story

Erin

Erin is employed by Worksmart Contracts and says doing a Modern Apprenticeship gave her knowledge and skills she’d never anticipated, and the flexibility offered by the programme meant it fitted in well with working full time. Having gained a SVQ Level 2, She is looking forward to progressing to the next level with her qualifications. See Erin’s story

For potential Modern Apprentices

East Ayrshire Council has a large number of Business Administration Level 2 Modern Apprenticeships available. Departments will be recruiting throughout the year. If you are interested please check out myjobscotland for all vacancies.

For employers

Our Employability Service has places on our SDS Contract for the delivery of Business Administration level 2. If you are thinking of starting a Business Administration Modern Apprentice, or already have a member of staff who you would like to up-skill with a SVQ qualification please contact us. We can deliver their qualification free of charge as long as they fit the Skills Development Scotland criteria.

We also offer other forms of training and recruitment funding support which we can tailor to your business needs. If you are interested and would like further information please email us or call 01563 503000.

StayConnected

To get regular email bulletins about employability opportunities for job seekers and employers, sign up with our StayConnected service

Posted: February 25, 2021, 2:30 pm

Kilmarnock Town Centre will start the new year with a new look, after a date of 11 January 2021 was set for the start of a project which will transform the bottom end of  King Street, opening up space beside Kilmarnock Water to create an exciting new outdoor area for public use.

One of Scotland’s leading demolition specialists, Caskie Ltd, has been appointed to carry out the 20 week job, which will see the removal of the former Mothercare building on the corner of King Street and St Marnock Street.

The company will begin on site on 6 January, when the surrounding  pavement will be closed to allow erection of scaffolding.  The actual demolition will start with painstaking manual removal of gable end, followed by mechanical demolition to the three floors.

Health and Safety considerations will mean that Ayrshire Roads Authority (ARA)  will oversee a programme of partial road closures, which will be managed to minimise traffic disruption as far as possible. These will be widely advertised in local media and social media and on the East Ayrshire Council and ARA  websites.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, welcomed the news saying: “ We’re looking forward to seeing work commence on this site, which will transform the appearance of the gateway to the King Street pedestrian shopping area.  The work is part of ongoing plans to regenerate this part of our town centre, in line with changing patterns of high street use. We’d rather see this area used as an eco-friendly, open air public space, which can be used and enjoyed by the community than have shop units, which are no longer fit for purpose, lying empty.

“As a council, community led regeneration is one of our driving forces, we believe that working in partnership with our communities, private sector and third sector organisations we can devise innovative and practical solutions to make the best possible use of our public spaces.

“We are already engaging the services of a landscape architect to draw up three concept designs which will incorporate ideas already brought forward by town centre stakeholders. We’ll use these as a basis for further engagement in our public consultation.

“For this project we’ll be linking with Celebrate Kilmarnock who will lead the public engagement, to make sure we gather and take into account views and suggestions from all sectors of our community.  We will all also be working closely with Kilmarnock Business Association, to develop a scheme which brings maximum benefit to our traders and local businesses.

“2020 has been a tough year for us all. Starting this project  so early in 2021 gives us all something to look forward to, a new beginning for our precious town centre as we all look forward to a brighter future.”

Celebrate Kilmarnock will be instrumental in drawing together the public consultation on the future of the site.  Elaine Cowan, Celebrate Kilmarnock Trustee said, “Our strength has always been in our ongoing engagement with those that have an interest in our town.  A thriving Kilmarnock has a fundamental impact on our collective wellbeing and successful places are where people feel empowered to take part. “We hope this project will be the first of many positive changes to the landscape and rebuilding of the prosperity of our town.  Our aim is to ensure that local people are directly involved in owning, designing and shaping the future of our town. We have already provided the place-making ideas generated from our earlier public meetings to help kick-start proposals with the Council’s landscape architect.

“We would warmly welcome anyone who wants to get involved in developing this project to build something special in the town – you can contact us at hello@celebratekilmarnock.com“.

“Peter Telfer, Chair of the Kilmarnock Business Association said, “We are delighted that the council are now progressing with the demolition of the old Mothercare site and we are looking forward to working with the council and the other key stakeholders within the community to develop plans for its future use. Now, more than ever, we need our community to shop local and this location is a key gateway to our town and our retailers. We need a welcoming and vibrant town centre and, the businesses already have a number of ideas as to how the space can best be used and we want to make sure that any future developments compliments the many existing assets in our Town, as well as adding new reasons for the community to come into the centre.”

“Peter Telfer, Chair of the Kilmarnock Business Association said, “We are delighted that the council are now progressing with the demolition of the old Mothercare site and we are looking forward to working with the council and the other key stakeholders within the community to develop plans for its future use. Now, more than ever, we need our community to shop local and this location is a key gateway to our town and our retailers. We need a welcoming and vibrant town centre and, the businesses already have a number of ideas as to how the space can best be used and we want to make sure that any future developments compliments the many existing assets in our Town, as well as adding new reasons for the community to come into the centre.”

Work starts on 11 January 2021. You can view more details and regular updates on the progress of the redevelopment on our Kilmarnock Mothercare redevelopment webpage and see the Council report here

Posted: January 4, 2021, 12:50 pm

With covid restrictions and worries about social distancing, many people are understandably avoiding their high streets just now. But what about the retailers?  We all know that it’s been the local shops who stood by us during lockdown, going the extra mile with deliveries and carry out services and doing their best to help when stocks ran low in bigger supermarkets.

For many just now, the safest option is online, but spending with giant global companies sends our money elsewhere, away from the local businesses who need that income to keep themselves and their own families going.

That’s why East Ayrshire Council, Kilmarnock Business Association, Cumnock Business Association and numerous other organisations across the area have joined forces with ShopAppy.com to help small businesses and sole traders to create an effective virtual high street, with a web based platform where they can showcase and sell their goods and services in a way which is easily accessible and more visible to the public than individual websites.

ShopAppy works by bringing together businesses in a local town and surrounding area, giving them their own space on their website to present and sell their wares, alongside others, making it a one stop shop for lots of different retailers and giving them access to a much wider market.

Councillor Jim Roberts, Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, East Ayrshire Council explains.  “We’re delighted to be able to bring ShopAppy.com to East Ayrshire. It has pages for all our major towns and villages, and allows any East Ayrshire company to join in, add their profile and use it as another outlet for their goods. We hope the public will support it, helping keep our vital businesses going at a time when we all need a boost.

“As a council we’d encourage everyone to have a look at ShopAppy.com.  It’s very easy to use and like our East Ayrshire Gift Card – which can be ordered and spent online, or in person, in over 100 East Ayrshire shops – it’s a great way of helping keep money circulating locally.

Choosing to spend local, even online, can make all the difference to how our high streets get through this current situation.  We’ve got a good number of shops online already, but we’d urge people to keep checking, as we’ve got new businesses signing up all the time.  It costs them nothing to join  for the first year and the setup is relatively easy. ShopAppy.com can even help to organise covid safe click and collect points. It really is well worth taking a look.”

Peter Telfer of the Kilmarnock Business Association agreed: ““ShopAppy is an easy to use platform that allows customers to buy products from a number of different local retailers and pay for it in one transaction. The drive to shop local has never been more important as our town centres and businesses rely on it. The Kilmarnock Business Association has enjoyed developing the platform alongside East Ayrshire Council and we think many local people will be surprised with the choice, quality and value of products on offer.”

Marion Gilliland of Cumnock Business Association said: “Running businesses this year has been challenging across every sector and we are delighted that East Ayrshire Council have embraced the challenges that we have faced and supported us. Shopping and supporting local is at the forefront of everyone’s minds and the gift card and shopappy gives our customers different ways to continue to do so and stay safe where possible’

 

Read more about

ShopAppy for Businesses

ShopAppy for Shoppers

East Ayrshire Gift Card

www.shopappy.com/kilmarnock

www.shopappy.com/galston

www.shopappy.com/stewarton

Posted: December 17, 2020, 7:38 pm

On Friday 11 December everyone living in East Ayrshire moved into Level 3  Covid restrictions.

This means we MUST ALL follow Level 3 rules. You can see a PDF with summary of these Level 3 rules here 

Financial help is available for any businesses restricted or forced to close because of these rules – find out more about how to apply for  Business Support here

You can find out more about how to access help and support if you are self-isolating, and how our services are working on our Coronavirus webpages. If you would like to receive regular email coronavirus updates as the situation changes, sign up for our StayConnected bulletins.

Take care at Christmas

We’ve all come a long way, and it’s great to have a little more freedom after level 4 –  but we cannot afford to let our guard slip. Please continue to follow FACTS. Avoid crowded places, wash your hands, wear your mask and take care not to make unnecessary journeys. Before you plan your Christmas, take a look at the Scottish Government guidance for keeping safe this Festive Season

Find out more

You can find out more about how to access help and support on our Coronavirus webpages.

If you would like to receive regular email coronavirus updates as the situation changes, sign up for our StayConnected coronavirus bulletins.

Read the Scottish Government Strategic Covid 19 Framework

See the Scottish Government table of covid restriction levels

Find out more about the Scottish Government restrictions on food and drink

Posted: December 8, 2020, 4:35 pm

Christmas shopping in East Ayrshire has just got better as East Ayrshire Council has suspended all parking charges in local town centres from Saturday 5 December 2020 until the end of the month.

This means anyone visiting Kilmarnock, Cumnock, Stewarton, Galston or Mauchline to do Christmas shopping will not need to pay to park in any Council car park or within any on street parking bay.

Shoppers should note, however, that any limited waiting restrictions shall still apply and parking attendants will be out patrolling the streets to ensure the continued safe flow of traffic around the town centres. They will concentrate their efforts around schools and other priority areas and they will continue to ensure disabled bays and other bays designated for a specific purpose are used appropriately.

Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Councillor Douglas Reid welcomed this initiative. He said:

“This has been a tough year for retailers and shoppers alike, with town centre footfall severely affected by the COVID-19 restrictions and we want to do everything we can to boost business across our town centres.

“Hopefully the restrictions will ease to allow local retailers to re-open in time for Christmas – I would to encourage everyone to support our local businesses and to shop local.”

Shoppers are reminded that the COVID-19 restrictions will still be in place and they should observe these while shopping, by wearing a mask inside premises and keeping a safe 2 metre distance from other shoppers.

Posted: December 3, 2020, 3:52 pm
picture of Engine Shed video title

Click on the image to watch this video

This is National Maintenance Week (20-27 November). It’s a reminder to anyone who cares for a  traditional property – of the straightforward steps they can take to protect their building from winter weather.

The SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) knows that carrying out simple, regular maintenance tasks will save money on expensive repairs further down the line, and allow us to live more sustainably. Buildings and construction make up 42% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Keeping existing properties in good condition will significantly help in efforts to be ‘greener’.

A well-maintained building is not only likely to last longer, it is also most likely to be energy efficient. Damp is the most common cause of damage affecting buildings of all ages. Dry walls are better insulators than wet ones, and regular maintenance can help you spot a small problem before it becomes a larger, more costly one.

What can I do?

Small steps to keep a building dry can make a big difference. Clearing gutters and checking your roof’s condition once a year are simple ways to help prevent rainwater damage.

  • Look for blocked downpipes (best done during heavy rain to see water coming from any leaky joints – in dry weather look for stained brickwork)
  • Check ground level gullies and drains to make sure they are clear of debris like and have them cleaned out if necessary
  • Every autumn, clear any plants, leaves and silt from gutters, hopperheads, flat roofs and drainage channels. It’s a good idea to do this in spring too to deal with anything that might have found its way into the wrong place
  • Remove potentially damaging vegetation from behind downpipes by cutting back or removing the plant altogether
  • Use a hand mirror to look behind rainwater pipes as splits and cracks in old cast iron and aluminium often occur here and are not easily noticed
  • Fit bird/leaf guards to the tops of soil pipes and rainwater outlets to prevent blockages
  • Have gutters refixed if they are sloping the wrong way or discharging water onto the wall
  • If sections are beyond repair, make sure that replacements are made of the same material as the originals (on older houses, this is sometimes lead, but more usually cast iron)
  • Regular painting of cast iron is essential to prevent rust
  • Don’t undertake routine maintenance work at high level unless you are accompanied and have suitable equipment. If in doubt always seek help from a professional

SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) knows that carrying out simple, regular maintenance tasks will save money on expensive repairs further down the line, and allow us to live more sustainably. Buildings and construction make up 42% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Keeping existing homes in good condition will  help significantly in efforts to be ‘greener’.

Call SPAB’s free technical advice line for advice Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm on 020 7456 0916.

Watch a free pre-recorded  online lecture on maintaining Scotland’s buildings (runs until 27 November)

Read this case study from Historic Environment Scotland 

 

Talk to our team

Our Regeneration team works with Historic Environment Scotland and other funders to help building owners fund and carry out sympathetic and cost effective repairs and restoration of historic buildings through initiatives such as the Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS) They can also arrange and advise on training in traditional skills.  Find out more about what we do on our webpage.

You can email us here

Posted: November 25, 2020, 2:11 pm

The transformational Ayrshire Growth Deal has reached a major milestone – paving the way for the creation of thousands of jobs and the investment of millions of pounds into the region.

At a virtual signing event today (Thursday 19th November), the three Council Leaders, Councillors Douglas Reid, Joe Cullinane and Peter Henderson, joined Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Mathieson MSP, and Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP, to sign the deal and ratify the implementation and financial arrangements which signal major investment into the region.

The signing of the £251 million deal represents a massive boost to the area, and is the culmination of four years’ work by the councils, partner organisations and both governments.

The deal will galvanise efforts to develop key strategic sites and sectors in Ayrshire.  It will help leverage private sector investment of more than £300 million, with the potential of creating up to 7,000 new jobs.

A range of projects will be delivered across Ayrshire with a clear focus on innovation, productivity and inequality.  The deal will create new business spaces, improve infrastructure and connectivity, and boost research and development ventures, while growing local talent and providing new opportunities and routes into employment for people throughout Ayrshire.

Construction at HALO Kilmarnock is already well underway to transform the former Johnnie Walker site into a dynamic commercial, educational and advanced training hub, with focus on sustainability and low carbon energy.

Other projects already progressing include the National Energy Research Demonstrator Project in Cumnock, which will develop leading edge technologies for energy generation and storage.  At Prestwick, a major programme will strengthen its position as a UK centre of excellence in space and aerospace, while the development and regeneration of The Great Harbour, at Irvine Harbourside and Ardeer, will create a unique coastal tourist destination.

The proposals represent a tremendous opportunity to improve the well-being of communities and the economy.  Signing this deal will allow partners to progress plans to support recovery and renewal post Covid-19, and transform Ayrshire into a 21st century powerhouse for growth.

 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:

“In a period of economic uncertainty and challenge, delivery of the Ayrshire Growth Deal is more important than ever with the projects re-invigorating the regional economy. I appreciate all the hard work that the three councils across Ayrshire and their partners have put in to get us to this point. The signing of this deal, with investment of £103 million from the Scottish Government, will help to drive future growth and prosperity in the region and in Scotland as a whole.

 

 

“Our investment in skills, digital infrastructure, community wealth building, tourism and regeneration will generate a host of opportunities for communities, businesses and individuals across the region. We will see jobs created and jobs protected across Ayrshire. Projects including the HALO and the Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor will cement Ayrshire as a leading area for innovation in Scotland. We will continue to work with the three Ayrshire Councils and partners to help deliver the projects that will unlock investment and drive inclusive growth across the region.”

Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said:

 

“This is a landmark moment for Ayrshire.  The deal we have agreed today will have a profound positive impact on the region for generations to come.

 

 

“From advanced manufacturing, to clean energy, to aerospace and marine science –  the UK Government’s £103 million investment will cultivate innovative and sustainable industries that bring quality jobs and benefit Ayrshire’s communities.

“Growth Deals are important to our long term economic recovery from COVID-19 and the UK Government’s £1.5 billion in Growth Deal investment across Scotland is securing our future prosperity.”

Community Wealth Building and inclusion is central to the deal to ensure growth will benefit all of Ayrshire’s communities, and where no one will be left behind.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said:

“Obviously the last few months have been uncertain for all of us. So, we are delighted that we have now formalised our Ayrshire Growth Deal plans and can look ahead to building better times for our region.

“The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities in society and at the heart of the Ayrshire Growth Deal will be equity and inclusivity. The Growth Deal represents a £251 million Community Wealth Building opportunity, with every project delivered with a focus on sharing the benefits and rewards from the investment across our communities.

“Considerable work has been progressed in recent months to get us to this stage. Now we have reached it, we are ready to start delivering on the potential of the Growth Deal for the people of Ayrshire.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said:

“Ayrshire’s potential has been left untapped for decades, and while we know the Growth Deal will not solve all of our problems overnight, these projects will greatly assist our economic recovery and change the fortunes of Ayrshire for this, and future generations.

“We cannot overestimate the importance of the environment and green economy in our future prosperity, and I’m delighted the Ayrshire Growth Deal will be characterised by not only its positive economic impact, but also the sustainable aspirations we have for our communities.”

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Peter Henderson said:

“This is a significant day for Ayrshire, as more than four years of dedicated partnership working comes to fruition. I’m extremely proud of the collaborative effort that has allowed us to progress to this stage.

“The last few months have been particularly challenging, and the Ayrshire Growth Deal brings with it hope of a brighter, more prosperous future for our communities.

“The deal will allow us scope to develop key strategic sites and sectors across Ayrshire, and will help to realise the area’s potential as a world-class business region.

“Our aim is to make Ayrshire a better place to live, work, and invest in, and this deal will enable us to realise these ambitions.”

View the video broadcast from today’s signing event.

Posted: November 19, 2020, 9:47 am

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