News In Brief - Monday, 5 January 2026
Dear Colleague,
Happy New Year! Welcome back everyone! Here is your latest News in Brief – the first update of 2026.
Monday 5 January: Winter warmer breakfasts return
Our secondary schools will be offering free breakfast to pupils every school morning. Options include either a hot roll or two of the following: fruit pot, croissant, cheese scone, pancake or toast. The initiative will be available in all of our secondary schools until Friday 30 January 2026.
Also on Monday: Works underway ground floor reception
As part of the council’s broader property rationalisation programme to create the new customer service centre, construction works will begin on Monday 5 January at Cunninghame House ground floor east. Disruption and additional noise to the entrance area of the council is to be expected. The Irvine and Kilwinning Committee Room, Three Towns Committee Room and small interview rooms will now no longer be available on the ground floor. Read the available meeting rooms news article for details of alternative 4th floor meeting rooms. If you have any queries relating to the construction works, please email: pmienquiries@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Tuesday 6 January: Early years and childcare info sessions
Is your child due to start early learning and childcare this year? Starting on Tuesday, information sessions are taking place across North Ayrshire to help support parents and carers. View the early years and childcare enrolment drop-in sessions schedule for full details.
Annual rent consultation underway
North Ayrshire Council’s annual rent consultation will be carried out this year between Friday 5 December 2025 and midnight Friday 16 January 2026. Information with the rent increase options has been sent to tenants along with completing an online survey. Full details about the proposals and how to have your say are in the annual rent consultation news article.
KA Leisure discounted membership
As an employee of North Ayrshire Council, you can take advantage of a discounted KA Leisure Corporate Membership for only £24 per month (usually £31.89 monthly). Sign up now via the KA Leisure membership article. For other employee perks, visit the staff benefits webpage.
Café reopens in Cunninghame House
The café has reopened in Cunninghame House. Open from 8.30am, the café located on 4th floor east provides lots of choice including healthy options and daily specials (being updated soon). See the most up-to-date menu in the weekly café update.
Microsoft Copilot trial update
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has approved a six-month trial of Microsoft Copilot, which will run from January to June. Please read the full Copilot trial update for everything you need to know and next steps.
Review of Subsistence Rates (Expenses)
From time-to-time employees may be required to undertake work outside of their normal work location, for example involving traveling to Arran, or further afield for meetings/seminars etc. In these circumstances, and as per the council’s Terms and Conditions of Employment employees are entitled to claim for subsistence (where this has been pre-approved and receipts provided). From the 1st January 2026 the amount employees can reclaim has been increased for travelling expenses and subsistence rates. Details of the increase and how to claim expenses are in the news article.
Staff information and training sessions
Whether you’re looking to develop your career or find out more information about staff benefits and initiatives, stay tuned to our round-up of staff information and training sessions.
Share your news with the Communications team
As we enter the New Year, the Communications team is on the look out for your news stories and upcoming projects to help - where resource is available - to report upon the great work of your Service and how everyone is contributing towards the priorities of the Council Plan
If you have Staff News to share or external news updates where we can help with press releases, photography and marketing support, please drop us an email via communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
That’s all for now
If you have any updates you would like the team to share, please click the button below to email the Communications team. Your updates will be required by midday on Friday this week.
