Irvine's community council is using the Freedom of Information act to learn the expenses, travel and living arrangements of Executive Director for Place Craig Hatton.

This follows criticism of NAC – and specifically the Executive Director for Place – from community councillors over high flat tenants having to share one central recycling bin area.

Secretary Bill Anderson said: “I’ve got an email back from North Ayrshire Council telling me they have received my email concerning Executive Director Craig Hatton relating to Freedom of Information.

“What we had asked was if they could explain if Mr Hatton actually travelled up from England every week to come to work up here, and who paid his expenses for that, where does he stay when he’s here, and who pays for the accommodation.” 

In May, during talk of pensioners having to walk up to 190 metres to recycle, community councillor Jackie Frew said NAC was being 'punitive', adding: “Mr Handsome Hatton that flies up every week from England, fair enough, I don’t want to slag the man off, but he doesn’t live in the local community.”

At their June meeting, community councillor Alec Younger said NAC have now dispersed more bins, and said pursuing it further would be a pointless exercise after the council confirmed high flat residents won't be forced to recycle and can continue to just use the chutes.

Although secretary Anderson is still keen to persue questions regarding Executive Director of Place Craig Hatton.