CIVIC-MINDED activists have gathered for North Ayrshire’s first-ever community council conference.

North Ayrshire Council’s Participation & Empowerment Team hosted the inaugural event at Saltcoats Town Hall last month, giving local community councillors the perfect chance to finally meet and share ideas.

The team recently facilitated a series of awareness-raising workshops and training sessions. This support has helped to increase participation in community councils across North Ayrshire, as well as providing support to people from Dalry and Saltcoats to resurrect their local community council.

In total, 29 people attended, representing eight community councils from North Ayrshire.

The conference was a mixture of workshops and speakers, covering topics such as planning, communication, opportunities and social media. As part of the conference, community councils took part in a Participatory Budgeting event where Community Councils could bid for a share of a pot of money given by the Scottish Government Community Choices Fund.

Seven community councils had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to those present and each secured a share of the £10,000 pot.

Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet member for Communities, said: “North Ayrshire’s first-ever conference for community councillors was a huge success and well received, with lots of positive feedback."

If your area does not currently have a community council and you would be interested in setting one up, contact the team on 01294 604612.