North Ayrshire Council leader Tony Gurney reflects on the recent elections, and gives his hopes and aspirations for the area over the coming years in a new regular column...
I’m now three months into my role as council leader and delighted to be given an opportunity to pen a column which I hope you find interesting and informative.
The last few weeks have been dominated by the Scottish elections and I’d like to thank the election team at North Ayrshire Council, and all those who took part on polling day and the count itself, for their efforts in ensuring the democratic process was followed.
No matter the result, the most important thing is that the process is carried out fairly. A huge congratulations to all our MSPs, those re-elected, and those elected for the first time, and I look forward to working with you all over the coming weeks.
As we begin this new parliamentary term, it is essential that local government is recognised, respected, and empowered as a key partner in delivery.
Adequate funding, flexibility, and a genuine spirit of collaboration are crucial if councils are to continue meeting the needs of our communities and responding to new challenges as they emerge.
I am committed to working closely with our MSPs to advocate for North Ayrshire and to ensure that our communities benefit from the opportunities ahead.
Open dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared focus on outcomes will be vital. Together, we can make a real difference - supporting jobs, strengthening communities, and improving quality of life for all.
Elections may mark the end of a campaign, but they are also the beginning of a renewed effort to deliver for the public. I look forward to working with our MSPs to turn ambition into action and to ensure that North Ayrshire continues to thrive.
Above all, our focus must remain firmly on the people we serve.
By working together, across all levels of government, we can build a fairer, greener, and more inclusive future for North Ayrshire.
The North Coast also has many active and thriving groups that continue to play a huge role for their communities.
We appreciate the passion they have for their communities and we will continue to work with them to try and ensure we can deliver the best outcomes for residents.
In addition, it is encouraging to see the recognition of the distinct challenges faced by our island communities.
This is now being reflected in national policy. We will continue to engage with our communities in Cumbrae to make sure their voices remain at the forefront of decision-making.
By aligning our local ambitions with national strategies, we can maximise impact and ensure resources are used effectively.
Our five-year Council Plan sets out our priorities and how we aim to deliver for all of you.
We are striving to make a North Ayrshire that is fair for all – by working together to improve the lives of our people in North Ayrshire.
We are working incredibly hard on our priorities and will continue to make positive changes that can make differences to the lives of people across the region.
North Ayrshire is full of vibrant and passionate communities and I hope to provide updates that are relevant to all of you through these columns over the coming weeks and months.
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