NEW council leader Joe Cullinane has defended North Ayrshire after a report was published claiming that the area is one of the worst places in Britain to raise a family. 

The study was carried out as part of the USwitch Better Family Life index. 
In a ranking of 138 local authorities, North Ayrshire finished bottom of the pile in a list comprised from a range of different living factors. 

This includes lower exam results, higher crime, lower pay and less time spent with loved ones.

The region took its place on the table, one position below Leicester, which was deemed to be the worst area in England to live for families. 

The study is separate from a similar report on multiple deprivation. 

However, Cllr Cullinane has rejected the outcome of the study and was keen to highlight the positive aspects of the area.

He said: “We disagree with the results of this survey, particularly as the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2016 report published shows that we are improving in a number of important areas, such as health, crime and access to services and gives us a solid foundation to continue to work together to improve the lives of local residents.

“While we recognise that parts of North Ayrshire face financial and economic challenges, we do not believe that local residents would accept this portrayal of their community.

“North Ayrshire is one of the most picturesque locations in the whole of the UK with a stunning coastline and breathtaking scenery, including the beautiful holiday islands of Arran and Cumbrae.”

In education, exam results have steadily improved across North Ayrshire. 
Last year, there was a significant increase in attainment of National 5 qualifications for S4 pupils. 
“The level of achievement was sustained for 2016, with current S4 pupils broadly matching best performances to date. 

“S5 pupils also performed significantly better than in previous years and more young people than ever before achieved Higher qualifications. In S6, pupils’ achievements at Advanced Higher level also improved. 

In February 2016, the council approved a £28 million package to grow North Ayrshire’s economy, including £17 million to support regeneration through the Ayrshire Growth Deal and £5million for town centre regeneration, while it was revealed that over 2016/17 and 2017/18, a total of £62m will be invested in council housing stock. 

Mr Cullinane added: “It is our aim to make North Ayrshire the best place in Scotland to live and work, and we are making great strides to improve the area’s economy through initiatives such as the Ayrshire Growth Deal, while we are working closely with 220 local companies to support their ambitions and create new jobs in the area.  

“We question the factors which have been used in this survey to indicate quality of life and extend a warm welcome to the authors of the report to visit North Ayrshire and see for themselves the many assets our area has to offer.”

In an analysis of figures taken from the ‘Areas of Family Resilience Report’, Irvine Fullarton was found to have the lowest life expectancy for both men and women in North Ayrshire. The average age for female life expectancy was 72.4, while for men the figure was even lower, at 66.0. 

However the statistics proved to contrast significantly among the areas, with a life expectancy of 86.0 for women in Fairlie and Rural areas, higher than the Scottish average of 80.1, whilst the highest area for men was in Kilwinning Whitehirst Park and Woodside, with a figure of 83.5. This again, was higher than the Scottish average of 74.0.

Although North Ayrshire as whole was lower than the overall figure for Scotland, with an expectancy rate of 79.2 for women and 74.0 for men. 

Among the most alarming statistics were published by the SIMD, who highlighted parts of the region including Irvine Castlepark South and Irvine Fullarton, alongside parts of Kilwinning West & Blacklands and Kilwinning Central and North were found to be among the top 5% of deprived areas in Scotland.