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Plan that puts communities first is approved
A plan that helps to support residents across North Ayrshire to continually improve their lives is making good progress.
The Council’s Strategic Community Learning and Development (CLD) Plan Annual Report for 2024-25 was recently presented to Cabinet.
The current Plan – covering 2024 to 2027 - is designed to make communities stronger through adult learning, youth work and capacity building and it has health and well-being, Community Wealth Building and workforce development at its core.
Tackling inequalities and the need to target resources to help close the gap between need and delivery are also covered within the Plan.
Listening to, and acting on, the views of people living in communities is a vital part of the Plan and Council partners - including schools, colleges and third sector organisations; volunteers and staff have been vital in shaping the Plan.
Quote: Some of the highlights of this report include 2,164 children and young people reporting improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes from engaging in resilience, wellbeing and suicide prevention programmes while 277 adults achieved nationally-recognised qualifications and 522 gained wider achievement awards. Our Fairer Food Network of community shops and larders has expanded to 17 outlets, which have provided the equivalent of 25,000 grocery shops and saved local families in the region of £195,000. And 33 community organisations have been supported through the process by our CLD staff through workshops and guidance.
Quote from: Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet member for Communities, Housing and Islands
Local authorities are legally bound by the Scottish Parliament to develop a Plan every three years, and it offers a framework that helps to empower people of all ages, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities.
This is done through supported learning for adults and families, personal development and active citizenship to create stronger, more inclusive communities.
There is an expectation that local authorities will:
- coordinate the provision of community learning and development with stakeholders and
- describe the actions that will be taken to provide and coordinate CLD throughout the life of the plan.
Here in North Ayrshire, progress has been made in areas including:
- continued growth in participatory budgeting, community asset transfers and local decision-making forums
- increased outreach in under-served areas, support for marginalised groups and efforts to reduce inequalities in access to learning
- strengthened relationships with third sector organisations, educational institutions and local stakeholders and
- the CLD service has been instrumental in helping partners secure additional funding for various projects.
Councillor Hill added: “It is vital that we make sure everyone – especially those who are vulnerable or marginalised – has access to learning opportunities and nobody is left behind. And I would like to congratulate our CLD staff on the progress they are making.”
Cabinet approved the annual report for 2024-25 on Tuesday 2 December and also authorised the action plan for the following two years.
Published: 12 December 2025