Civic-minded activists are to gather later this month for North Ayrshire’s first-ever community council conference.

As well as offering cash to help build up their profiles locally, the event will finally bring together the Irvine and the Kilwinning Community Councils, offering the perfect chance to meet each other and share ideas.

North Ayrshire Council’s Participation & Empowerment Team will be hosting the inaugural Community Council Conference in Saltcoats Town Hall on Sunday, June 25.

As part of the conference, community councils will be taking part in a Participatory Budgeting event where they can bid for a share of a pot of money given by the Scottish Government Community Choices Fund.

This will help community councils build their local profile, increase community engagement and encourage wider involvement from under-represented groups.

Each community council will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to the others present with the hope of securing up to £1,800 of funding.

This event is only open to local elected community councillors.

The council has recently facilitated a series of awareness-raising workshops and training sessions for community councillors.

This support has helped increase participation in community councils as well as support local people from Dalry and Saltcoats resurrect their local community council.

So far, over 30 community councillors have confirmed to attend, representing the eight community councils from North Ayrshire. The conference will be a mixture of workshops and speakers with lunch provided.

If your local area does not currently have a community council and you would be interested in working towards setting one up, please contact the Participation & Empowerment Team on 01294 604612.