Irvine now has a Town Board to decide the best way to regenerate the area using £20million funding allocated by the UK Government.

The new board, which will be chaired by well-known Irvine man Bill Nolan, will work closely with North Ayrshire Council - who will be the accountable body - and the Locality Planning Partnership.

But they will be independent in assessing priorities based on an enhanced level of consultation that will seek to reflect the views and hopes of local people in different age groups, from different communities and with a range of aspirations.

Board membership reflects a broad representation from the local community which includes the local MP, local councillors, police, fire, cultural and heritage organisations, local businesses and other community representatives and the Irvine Town Board meets with that criterion.

The members are David Mann (Scottish Maritime Museum); Bill Nolan (Wellwood Burns Centre), Chris Pless (Irvine Community Council); Fiona Paton (Rivergate Shopping Centre); Barbara Conner (TACT); Scott Morrison (KA Leisure)’ David Phillips (Irvine Seniors Forum); Steven Easton (Chamber of Commerce); Danny Kerr (Marymass Festival Committee); Paul Timmons (Scottish Fire & Rescue); Fraser Normansell (Police Scotland); Alan Gemmell, MP; Councillors Nairn McDonald, Chloe Robertson, Matthew McLean (all NAC); Emma Burns (MSYP); Freya Fitzsimmons (MSYP); Elaine Baxter (NAC).

Irvine is one of nine Scottish towns to be awarded £20million, phased over the next 10 years, to fund regeneration and deliver new major improvements specifically within the town.

The funding comes from the Long Term Plan for Towns Fund set up by the UK Government and work has already started with the creation of a Town Board consisting of local people drawn from the local community and various interest groups that will assess opportunities and support investment in both the short and long term.

The Town Board will be looking to develop a range of projects and will initially set out an investment plan covering three years starting in January 2025. Three key themes have been prioritised nationally and benefit from the added funding being made available and these will focus on:

  • High Street, Heritage and Regeneration;
  • Safety and Security; and
  • Transport and Connectivity.

Chair Bill Nolan has been involved in such groups as Incorporated Trades, The Irvine Carters’ Society, The Irvine Burns Club, Irvine Rugby Club, and Irvine Folk Club over the years. He has also served as President of the World Burns Federation.

Following the inaugural board meeting in Trinity Church, at which he was appointed chair, Bill said: “This new funding offers a wonderful opportunity for the Irvine community and it is an honour and a challenge to be involved because Irvine, where I have lived, worked and played for many years, is my town and one in which have great pride.

"As the Town Board, we want it to be a town in which every resident can feel that same pride as they feel annually at Marymass. It should be a town in which people feel that they have a say and are heard; a town in which they can feel safe; and a town in which today’s young people can look forward to a secure future.”

“We want to hear people’s views and what are their priorities. As the Town Board, we want to use this new funding to build a brighter future for Irvine which is why we need and value the views of the entire Irvine Community.

"We want to enhance what is being done locally already by the Council and by others and want to ensure that this added funding will create noticeable differences.  Tell us what you like - and sometimes don’t like (!) - about Irvine and how by working together we can make our town a better place.”

The Irvine Town Board has wasted no time in setting up a communications network which will focus on using best endeavours to keep people informed through community groups, Locality Planning and North Ayrshire Council.

A website is already in place seeking views and opinions and can be accessed via: http://www.ironsidefarrar.com/irvine-town-centre.html