News in Brief – Monday 19 January 2026
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for tuning in to News in Brief with important updates and news highlights of all that is happening right across the council.
Monday 19 January: Child-friendly complaints reporting
All colleagues must familiarise themselves with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child requirements in relation to child-friendly complaints reporting. Read the UNCRC child friendly complaints update for everything you need to know.
Also on Monday: Connected Leadership Conference
Saltcoats Town Hall will be the venue for the council’s first Executive Leadership Conference of 2026. Taking place Monday 19 January from 1pm until 4pm, the event will have a Climate Change and Sustainability focus. We will report highlights from the Conference in our new quarterly 'Spotlight' feature which brings to life the work our staff carry out to deliver the priorities of the Council Plan. Look out for an email bulletin coming soon.
Wednesday 21 January: Isle of Cumbrae community event
Contractor McFadden (Civils) Ltd will host a drop-in information day at Garrison House, Glasgow Street, Millport, on Wednesday 21 January from 11am to 5pm to explain the upcoming Mill Burn flood prevention project to interested parties on Millport. Everyone is welcome to come along, find out information and ask questions.
Bringing children’s rights to life training sessions
A new UNCRC Microsoft Teams session (1 hour duration) is being delivered to give council employees a clear overview of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, what’s changing locally and ways to embed children’s rights into your daily work. Book now via the UNCRC training latest news article.
Limited access to Cunninghame House ground floor
Due to the refurbishment works happening at the reception area, staff should be aware that to access the Council Chambers and Committee Rooms, they will need to do so via the main front entrance as the internal walkway is currently out of use. The temporary internal partition is anticipated to be removed later this week.
Updated deliveries process for Cunninghame House
As works progress on the ground floor of Cunninghame House, staff are reminded that all deliveries will now be available for collection from the Fourth Floor West reception area. The ground floor mailroom can still be accessed as normal. All deliveries being received should now be directed to the Fourth Floor West. Delivery drivers will be granted access via the rear entrance intercom. If the glass partition at the new delivery area is closed, please ring the bell and a council officer will be there to support. Staff are reminded that if using the transport trolley, this should be returned to the Marress House entrance of the ground floor.
No Wrong Door support
Staff can familiarise themselves with our No Wrong Door approach to supporting residents in need of cost-of-living support. You can request more information or training for your team, and the information can be found via the No Wrong Door news article.
Filmmakers seek young people to be part of new short film
Youth-led filmmakers Next Take, in partnership with Screen Scotland and North Ayrshire Council are on the lookout for young people to be involved in an exciting film project. With volunteer roles both behind and in front of the camera, the youth project based in Ardrossan builds on the success of the recent New Scots film, Piece of Mind. Register before the 31 January deadline via the Next Take recruitment update.
Tickets remain for HAC Burns performance
Ahead of Burns Night, the Harbour Arts Centre is hosting The Badly-Behaved Poets' Society with Lorenzo Novani on Friday 30 January. Ticket and events details can be found on the HAC events page. The show promises a sharp, witty performance exploring the human side of two literary icons – Robert Burns and his Italian counterpart, Giovanni Pascoli. Suitable for ages 12 and above.
Save the date! Managing Stress and Mental Health sessions
HR have arranged a new series of stress management and mental health sessions. Taking place on Tuesday 5 February (11am) and Thursday 12 February (11am) via Teams, find out everything you need to know and how you can benefit in the Managing Stress and Mental Health sessions news update.
Café on 4 weekly update
The Cunninghame House café is 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.
That's all this week! 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.
