79 EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 28 JUNE 2012 AT 1000 HOURS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON ROAD, KILMARNOCK PRESENT: Provost Jim Todd and Councillors Ellen Freel, Eòghann MacColl, John McGhee, Helen Coffey, Andrew Hershaw, Maureen McKay, Tom Cook, Lillian Jones, Iain Linton, Douglas Reid, Jim Buchanan, Depute Provost John Campbell, Councillors John Knapp, Hugh Ross, Alan Brown, George Mair, Bobby McDill, John McFadzean, Neil McGhee, Stephanie Primrose, Jim Roberts, David Shaw, Billy Crawford, Barney Menzies, Kathy Morrice, Eric Ross, John Bell, Elaine Dinwoodie and Moira Pirie. ATTENDING: Fiona Lees, Chief Executive; Elizabeth Morton, Depute Chief Executive/Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services; Graham Short, Executive Director of Educational and Social Services; Alex McPhee, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Support; Bill Walkinshaw, Head of Democratic Services; Craig McArthur, Head of Finance; Martin Rose, Head of Human Resources; David Mitchell, Head of Legal, Procurement and Regulatory Services; Eddie Fraser, Head of Service: Community Care; Julie Jamieson, Chief Accountant; Joe McLachlan, Corporate Accounting Manager; Pauline Minnery, Corporate Officer (Business Support); Gwen Barker, Policy, Planning and Performance Manager; and Julie McGarry, Administration Manager. APOLOGIES: Councillors Gordon Cree and Drew McIntyre. CHAIR: Provost Jim Todd, Chair. PROVOST’S REMARKS 1. The Provost began the Council meeting by congratulating Gillian Pryce from Kilmarnock’s James Hamilton Academy who had led her team of senior pupils in the finals of Young Enterprise Scotland Ayrshire Awards recently and had then won the award for best link teacher. The Provost advised that the Johnnie Walker Bond building had received royal approval on Friday 11 May by HRH Duke of Rothesay, Prince Charles. The Provost advised that his Royal Highness had toured the building which had been extensively redeveloped and provided modern, accessible and energy efficient accommodation for over 300 Council employees. The Provost also advised that the renaissance of the Johnnie Walker Bond reflected the Council’s commitment to regenerate Town Centres across East Ayrshire, to put public services into the heart of local towns and to boost the local lunch time economy. The Provost advised that HRH took the time to chat with employees from the services based in the new building before unveiling a specially commissioned plaque to mark the official opening of the building. The Provost also referred to the Opera House development in John Finnie Street, which would, when completed, mean that some 900 Council employees would be accommodated in the heart of Kilmarnock Town Centre. The Provost referred to his first engagement as Provost where he had attended “These Kids Have Talent” on Thursday 17 May, where 500 talented youngsters had put on a musical show to a packed audience in Kilmarnock’s Palace Theatre featuring everything from “Ring on the Olympics” to “Hairgel”. 80 The Provost then expressed his delight at attending his first opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday 19 May. The Provost advised that this had been a tremendous day especially the outgoing Moderator’s speech which had been both humorous and humble. The Provost advised that Kilmarnock had been the only town that the Moderator had mentioned visiting. The Provost also referred to a section of the former Moderator’s speech, when introducing the new Moderator, which he had particularly liked. This had been when the new Moderator had been referred to as “a rock and roller”; and that he played in a band called “The Living Stones”, which, the Provost hoped would “keep on rolling”. The Provost then informed that regeneration projects in East Ayrshire had been given the royal seal of approval at a special regeneration summit in Burnley, Lancashire, as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Provost advised that the Chief Executive had been among the 120 invited guests and part of a small delegation from East Ayrshire who had gathered to meet her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales and to learn how the Prince’s Charities were helping to transform communities across the UK, East Ayrshire being the only Scottish region represented. The Provost then expressed his joy at visiting the children and staff of Shortlees Primary and Riccarton Nursery School on 31 May to join in their jubilee celebrations where the children and staff had made a huge effort and had dressed up in red, white and blue for the occasion. The Provost then expressed his pleasure in attending the Epistle to John Lapraik at Muirkirk grave side on 26 May when two pupils from Muirkirk Primary School had recited Lapraik’s work and the winner of the 2011 Lapraik Speaking Competition recited the full Epistle to John Lapraik. The Provost advised that the school children had taken the chance to shine with the Scot’s language and that they had been excellent - other schools from the area had taken part and it was a full house when after the recitations at the grave side, it had been the World John Lapraik Poetry Competition. The Provost advised that again it had been a first for him and he had enjoyed it tremendously as everyone who participated especially the young contestants, had been excellent and were a credit to their families and to the community. The Provost advised that Adam Ingram was trying to persuade others to make Muirkirk the first Scot’s Speaking Toon in Scotland. The Provost then congratulated five students from Grange Academy who had been the only ones in the whole of Ayrshire to win top awards for leadership from First Minister Alex Salmond. The Provost advised that S6 pupils Andrew Paxton, JJ Hawkshaw, Ryan Kulezich, Ross Gemmell and Joe Kimmett had been presented with certificates for completing the Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award by First Minister Alex Salmond, in a ceremony at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow. The Provost advised that the award had been inspired by the life of Mark Scott, a 16 year old Glasgow school boy who had been murdered in 1995 in an unprovoked sectarian attack after an Old Firm match. The Provost then stated that it had been a great honour to ride alongside the lady motorcyclists who had been travelling all around Scotland for MacMillan Cancer Support. The Provost advised that these ladies had raised in excess of £180,000 so far helping to fund the provision of 3 local MacMillan drop in centres and the motorcyclists had had a great send off from Rugby Park. 81 The Provost stated that it had been a privilege for him to cut the tape and officially open the redeveloped “Spirit of Scotland” site at Loudoun Hill on 4 June. The Provost stated that the finished development was a testament to everyone involved and congratulated all of those involved with the development. The Provost then advised that he had really enjoyed attending Cumnock Academy on 6 June for the Youth Music Initiative where it had been great to see young folk playing live music. The Provost also advised that all of the teachers had performed live in front of an audience for the first time in their life which had been an experience for them. The Provost stated that of particular note, was primary children playing violins that were almost as big as them. The Provost expressed his pleasure at attending the Official Opening of the West Coast Hatchery at Dundonald on 7 June, this business hatchery facility had been put together by Sir Tom Hunter and Entrepreneurial Spark and involved the fit out of 4,000 sq ft of previously vacant business space belonging to The Hunter Foundation. The Provost advised that the space was available to fledgling Ayrshire companies who had business ideas which could be developed and hopefully would ultimately create wealth and jobs for our communities. The Provost further advised that the Hatchery was already home to 23 companies; 7 of whom were from East Ayrshire and that these companies represented a number of sectors including precision engineering, retailing, health and IT. The Provost then advised that it had been a majestic day for East Ayrshire on Friday 8 June, when he, along with fellow Councillors’, saw the Olympic Torch open the new £7m Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Queens Drive, Kilmarnock. The Provost stated that he was sure that this premier facility would be used nationwide. The Provost further stated that the mass media attention provided an excellent showcase for our communities of this historic and immense occasion. The Provost congratulated all the torch bearers, particularly Alan Jardine who had ran a lap of the track with the torch; there had been a special feeling for everyone when Alan crossed the line. The Provost also advised that Killie Chairman, Michael Johnstone had brought along the League Cup on the day. The Provost stated that it had been an honour to have attended the laying up of the old colours for the Royal Highland Fusiliers. The Provost advised that having served in the Royal Navy he appreciated how much the ceremony meant to the Regiment and it was a first for him to see fixed bayonets in a place of worship. The Provost advised that, on a historical note, he believed the tradition went back to the Cameronians who were a part of the RHF; the Cameronians had been formed to act as guards for Covenanters practicing their religion on open ground in times of persecution; they were allowed to have arms during the service, and the tradition carried on to this day. The Provost believed this was the only regiment in the armed forces allowed to do so. The Provost expressed his delight to welcome so many people to HQ for the annual equality event on 14 June and took the opportunity to thank all the staff involved in making this annual event such a success.