News In Brief - Monday 30 March 2026
Thank you once again for tuning in to News in Brief with important updates and news highlights of all that is happening over the coming week.
Tuesday 31 March: Unpaid carers information session
NHS Education for Scotland (NES), in partnership with Carers Gateway North Ayrshire, is hosting an online session to help staff to identify unpaid carers and work with them to identify supports available for unpaid carers across North Ayrshire. The session will be held on Microsoft Teams from 1.30pm until 2.30pm on Tuesday 31 March. Sign up online to attend the unpaid carers info session.
Wednesday, 1 April: Local Government Employees (non-teaching) Pay Award
In line with the final pay agreement covering a two-year period which runs from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, a 3.5% increase will be effective from 1 April 2026. The new pay rates will be paid to our weekly paid employees on 16 April 2026 and fortnightly paid employees on 16 April 2026. Those employees paid monthly (on the 12th of each month) will receive the new pay rates on 10 April 2026, and monthly paid employees (paid at end of each month) will be paid this on 23 April 2026.
Also on Wednesday: Changes to PVG Scheme membership
From Wednesday 1 April 2026, PVG Scheme membership will change from lifetime membership to a five-year renewable membership. This change applies only to new applications made on or after that date. Employees and managers can read the PVG guidance and action required for new applications on latest news.
Also on Wednesday: Easter Music Concert, Garnock Community Campus
North Ayrshire Music Service will hold their annual end of term egg-stravaganza on Wednesday evening with pupils from across our primary and secondary schools showcasing their orchestral abilities. Stay tuned to social media for a photo recap!
Café on 4 weekly menu
Head over to the Café on 4 at Cunninghame House for delicious treats this week and tasty specials – read this week’s menu and specials here.
First aid training provider update
In February 2026 North Ayrshire Council awarded a contract for a single provider of first aid training – First Stop Safety Training. Council services should now only use this supplier when organising training. The courses available are:
- First Aid at Work – 3 days, 18 hours
- Emergency First Aid at Work – 1 day, 6 hours
- First Aid at Work Re-qualification/refresher - 2 days, 12 hours
- Paediatric First Aid - 2 days, 12 hours
Further information on the new provider and how to book training can be found on Connects First Aid and AED guidance.
Spaces available for upcoming NASA events
North Ayrshire Staff Association (NASA) have tickets remaining for the upcoming April events, book now!
- Friday 3 April: Robert Lee Psychic Medium. Highly acclaimed, fresh from his sell out shows all over the UK. Tickets £7 Members and £10 Guests. Less than 20 tickets remaining!
- Saturday 18 April: NASA Open Day featuring racing from the Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr, and background music. Take part in our ‘Pot of Gold’ Sweepstakes covering all races on the day. Free entry to the Club. Guests welcome.
Check out the NASA events schedule on Latest News for booking details.
Fire safety reminder
Staff are reminded that extension cords and multiplugs should NOT be plugged into each other as this can lead to overloading and presents a fire risk. Workstations should not utilise power strips into power strips, extension cords into extension cords or power strips or extensions combined. It is also important that only extension cables and power cords provided by the Council should be used. In addition, electric heaters must only be used after approval by your line manager and these should be provided via the Council officer in liaison with PMI.
Planning a getaway or fun day out for Easter?
Discover exclusive savings on the Employee Perks website! Whether you're hunting for holiday deals, supermarket savings, shopping discounts, or fun days out, there’s something for everyone. To log in or sign up to Employee Perks and access these fantastic discounts, visit the Staff Benefits webpage.
Time running out to book spaces for the Young Scotland Programme
The Young Scotland Programme is back but spaces at the Western House Hotel event in Ayr are limited! Book before the 8 April deadline! This is your time to let young people in your service shine! Full details in the Young Scotland news release.
North Ayrshire Annual Accounts Financial Year 2025 to 2026
Financial Management have now commenced the preparation of our Council Annual Accounts for Financial Year 2025 to 2026. It is important that Services respond to requests for information on a timely basis to ensure we meet our statutory deadlines. All budget holders should have received a copy of the year-end guidance and relevant certificate templates in their inbox on Thursday 5 March. If you have not received a copy of the guidance or have any questions, please contact Natalie Graham.
That’s all for this week!
Enjoy the long weekend when it comes and stay tuned for the next News In Brief update on Tuesday 7 April 2026. If you have any updates to share you can do so via the contact button below…
