A pilot scheme of funding to support locally-led action on Cumbrae and Arran has been kick-started. The Wee Grants for Islands programme will help community groups on the islands to build on existing strengths and opportunities. It opened for applications on December 2 and aligns with the Community Wealth Building economic model, which sees wealth

North Ayrshire Council has welcomed a new business collective that is promoting Community Wealth Building on the Isle Arran. The Isle of Arran Candle Company is spearheading the Arran Design Collective, which is a new social enterprise supported by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund. The aim of the initiative is to support island designers and

More than 140 nominations were made for North Ayrshire Council’s third annual Employability Awards. The awards ceremony took place at Saltcoats Town Hall on Tuesday 11 November and turned the spotlight on trainees, volunteers, Modern Apprentices and people gaining skills, confidence and work experience to prepare to progress to the world of work. The annual

North Ayrshire Council has been awarded funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to improve active travel opportunities in the i3 Business Park in Irvine. Existing footways are being upgraded and new connections created to provide better opportunities for people to walk and cycle to and within the business park. The upgraded routes will

Businesses are invited to discover local contract opportunities at this year's 'Ayrshire Meet the Buyer' networking event, on 18th November 2025 at The Park Hotel in Kilmarnock. Supplier Development Programme Scotland has teamed up with North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council to host this free event for local businesses to find

North Ayrshire Council has welcomed the news that engineering firm Booth Welsh has transferred the company into an Employee Ownership Trust. This means the firm is now employee-owned and the change will help to secure the Irvine company’s long-term future and cement job security for its 300-plus workforce. Switching to a Trust is a great

North Ayrshire Council has approved arrangements to continue working closely with Crown Estate Scotland to further boost regeneration and economic development. Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is a public corporation that invests in and manages property and natural resources – including the seabed, coastline, parts of the foreshore and rural estates – to help businesses and

A transport company is geared up for positive change after joining a Council-backed programme that helps businesses work towards net zero targets together. North Ayrshire companies have been, collectively, putting the environment at the heart of what they do through a programme called Net Zero Accelerator. The funded two-month programme is specifically designed to help

North Ayrshire Council’s ambitious housebuilding programme is set to move up a gear. Proposals to add more new-build developments to the Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) were approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 October. The SHIP sets out the priorities for affordable housing investment in North Ayrshire over the next five years and outlines

North Ayrshire Council has been praised for being “an exemplar” when it comes to change and innovation. In its latest report, the Accounts Commission said the Council works well with partners including the other two Ayrshire local authorities. It also said the Council has a great approach to change and innovation, is committed to engaging