Over 100 Local Businesses Supported by North Ayrshire Council Programme

During a discussion about the Ayrshire Growth Deal, North Coast councillor Ian Murdoch asked Tony Gurney, the cabinet member for green environment and economy, about local business support.

Cllr Gurney stated that a £3 million investment in the regional community wealth building programme helped 112 businesses in North Ayrshire. Specifically, 18 businesses received specialist consultancy support, and 10 businesses were granted funds to help them grow.

The community wealth building programme also included Fair Work Ayrshire, which assists businesses in creating Fair Work Action Plans. In total, 270 businesses across Ayrshire received help to implement fair work practices.

Additionally, the Working for a Healthy Economy programme offers clinical support to individuals seeking employment and those at risk of unemployment in Ayrshire.

Cllr Gurney noted that this project has aided 2,290 residents in Ayrshire, including 878 from North Ayrshire. The programme has supported 60 people in 2023-24, 117 in 2024-25, and 47 individuals from the North Coast area from April to December 2025.

The Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund focuses on training in key areas such as engineering, clean growth, digital skills, and the visitor economy for both unemployed and employed individuals across Ayrshire.

This investment began in October 2023 and has benefited 475 employees and 150 unemployed people in Ayrshire. Among these, 33 were from North Ayrshire businesses, and 239 were North Ayrshire employees.