View source for North Ayrshire

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = North Ayrshire
| native_name             = {{Unbulleted list
 |{{native name|gd|Siorrachd Àir a Tuath}}
 |{{native name|sco|North Ayrshire}}
 }}
| settlement_type         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|Council area]]
| image_skyline           = 
| imagesize               = 
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = 
| image_flag              = 
| flag_alt                = 
| image_shield            = North Ayrshire coat of arms.svg
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_blank_emblem      = 
| blank_emblem_size       = 
| blank_emblem_type       = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
| etymology               = 
| nickname                = 
| motto = {{force singular}} Sense and Worth
| image_map               = North Ayrshire UK location map.svg
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = North Ayrshire shown within [[Scotland]]
| coordinates             = {{coord|55|40|N|4|47|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type        = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1       = [[Scotland]]
| subdivision_type2       = 
| subdivision_name2       = 
| subdivision_type3       = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy area]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Ayrshire and Arran]]
| subdivision_type4       = 
| subdivision_name4       = 
| established_title       = District
| established_date        = [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|1975]]
| established_title1      = Unitary authority
| established_date1       = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
| established_title2      = 
| established_date2       = 
| named_for               = 
| seat_type               = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
| seat                    = [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]
| parts_type              = 
| parts                   = 
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes    = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/council-voting-elections |title=Council, voting & elections |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>
| government_type         = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
| governing_body          = [[North Ayrshire Council]]
| leader_title            = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name             = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000021}}
| leader_title1           = 
| leader_name1            = 
| leader_title2           = 
| leader_name2            = 
| leader_title3           = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name3            = {{Collapsible list |title=2 MPs
 |[[Irene Campbell]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 |[[Alan Gemmell]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 }}
| leader_title4           = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
| leader_name4            = {{Collapsible list |title=2 MSPs
 |[[Ruth Maguire]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Kenneth Gibson (Scottish politician)|Kenneth Gibson]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes          = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000021}}
| area_land_km2           = 
| area_water_km2          = 
| area_rank               = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000021}}]]
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes    = <ref name="popstats" />
| population_as_of        = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
| population_total        = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000021}}
| population_rank         = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000021}}]]
| population_density_km2  = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000021}}
| population_demonym      = 
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1    = 
| demographics1_info1     = 
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = 
| demographics2_footnotes = 
| demographics2_title1    = 
| demographics2_info1     = 
| timezone1               = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1             = +0
| timezone1_DST           = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +1
<!-- Codes -->
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code             = 
| area_code_type          = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code               = 
| iso_code                = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-NAY]]
| blank1_name             = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info             = S12000021
| website                 = {{URL|north-ayrshire.gov.uk}}
}}

'''North Ayrshire''' ({{langx|gd|Siorrachd Àir a Tuath}}, {{IPA|gd|ˈʃirˠəxk aːɾʲ ə ˈt̪ʰuə|pron}}) is one of 32 [[Council areas of Scotland|council areas]] in [[Scotland]]. The council area borders [[Inverclyde]] to the north, [[Renfrewshire]] and [[East Renfrewshire]] to the northeast, and [[East Ayrshire]] and [[South Ayrshire]] to the east and south respectively. The local authority is North Ayrshire Council, formed in 1996 with the same boundaries as the district of [[Cunninghame]], which existed from 1975 to 1996.

Located in the west [[central Lowlands]] with the [[Firth of Clyde]] to its west, the council area covers the northern portion of the historic county of [[Ayrshire]], in addition to the islands of [[Isle of Arran|Arran]] and [[The Cumbraes]] from the historic county of [[Buteshire]].<ref name="Part of east coast of Firth of Clyde">{{cite web | url=http://www.scapetrust.org/pdf/Clyde1/clyde1.pdf | title=East coast, Firth of Clyde. | access-date=16 December 2016 | archive-date=2 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402210716/http://www.scapetrust.org/pdf/Clyde1/clyde1.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> North Ayrshire had an estimated population of {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000021}} in {{UK subdivision statistics year}}.<ref name="popstats" /> Its largest towns are [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] and [[Kilwinning]]. From 1975 to 1996 under the name '''Cunninghame''' it was one of nineteen [[local government (Scotland)|local government]] [[district (Scotland)|district]]s in the [[Strathclyde]] [[Local government areas of Scotland 1973 to 1996|region]].

==History==
[[File:Scot1975Cunninghame.png|thumb|the district in Strathclyde]]
The [[districts of Scotland|local government district]] was formed as Cunninghame in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which established a two-tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. Cunninghame was one of nineteen districts created within the region of [[Strathclyde]]. The district covered the whole area of three former districts from the [[shires of Scotland|historic county]] of [[County of Bute|Buteshire]] and nine former districts from [[Ayrshire]], plus small parts of a further two districts within the designated area for [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] [[New towns in the United Kingdom|New Town]]:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=3 January 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usfeatures/areas/cunninghame.html Cunninghame], Undiscovered Scotland</ref>
*[[Ardrossan]] [[Burgh]]
*[[Isle of Arran|Arran]] [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|District]]
*[[Ayr]] District (part within designated area of Irvine New Town)
*[[The Cumbraes|Cumbrae]] District
*[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] Burgh
*Irvine District
*[[Kilbirnie]] District
*[[Kilmarnock]] District (part within designated area of Irvine New Town)
*[[Kilwinning]] Burgh
*[[Millport, Isle of Cumbrae|Millport]] Burgh
*[[Largs]] Burgh
*[[Saltcoats]] Burgh
*[[Stevenston]] Burgh
*[[West Kilbride]] District
Arran, Cumbrae and Millport were from Buteshire, the rest were from Ayrshire.

The district was abolished in 1996 by the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]] which replaced regions and districts with [[Council areas of Scotland|unitary council areas]]. North Ayrshire council area was formed with identical boundaries to Cunninghame District.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=3 January 2023}}</ref> The name Cunninghame is still used for two constituencies in the [[Scottish Parliament]], namely [[Cunninghame North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cunninghame North]] and [[Cunninghame South (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cunninghame South]].

===Political control===
The first election to the district council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 16 May 1975. Political control of the council from 1975 was as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Cunninghame" in search box to see specific results.)</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1975–1977
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1977–1980
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1980–1996
|}

===Premises===
[[File:Cunningham House, Irvine.jpg|thumb|Cunningham House, Friars Croft, Irvine]]
The council was based at Cunnninghame House on Friars Croft in Irvine, which was purpose-built for the council and completed in 1975, forming part of the new town centre for Irvine following its designation as a New Town.<ref name="£77,000 to fit out this house">{{cite news |title=£77,000 to fit out this house |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 January 2023 |work=Irvine Herald |date=26 September 1975 |page=2 |quote=Work on the five-storey office block to be known as Cunninghame House is expected to be completed by the end of October...}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=19973|page=1466|date=2 November 1976}}</ref><ref name="Historic Environment Scotland">{{cite web |title=Irvine, Friar's Croft, Cunninghame House |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/294274/irvine-friars-croft-cunninghame-house |website=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref> Following the district's abolition in 1996 the building has been the headquarters of North Ayrshire Council.

===Coat of arms===
The Cunninghame District Council was granted a [[coat of arms]] by [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] in 1979. The main feature of the arms was a black "shakefork" from the arms of [[Clan Cunningham]]. To the left was the arms of the former [[royal burgh]] of Irvine, based on the crest of the [[royal arms of Scotland]], and said to have been granted to the town by King [[David I of Scotland|David I]]. To the right was an ancient ship which had appeared in the arms of both Bute County Council and Arran District Council. Above the shakefork was a leopard's head holding in its mouth a weaver's shuttle. this represented the weaving industry of the inland parts of the district. Such an emblem appeared in Scottish arms grants to weaving societies and associations, and in the armorial bearings of the [[Worshipful Company of Weavers]] of the [[City of London]]. The motto was ''Sense and Worth'', and the arms were completed by a gold coronet of a design reserved by Lord Lyon to district councils, topped by thistle-heads.

North Ayrshire was created in 1996 under the [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]], which replaced Scotland's previous local government structure of upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts with unitary [[council area]]s providing all local government services. North Ayrshire covered the same area as the abolished [[Cunninghame]] district, and also took over the functions of the abolished [[Strathclyde Regional Council]] within the area.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=39|accessdate=29 December 2022}}</ref> The area's name references its location within the [[shires of Scotland|historic county]] of Ayrshire, which had been abolished for local government purposes in 1975 when Cunninghame district and Strathclyde region had been created, although the islands of [[Isle of Arran|Arran]] and [[The Cumbraes]] had been in Buteshire prior to 1975.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973|year=1973|chapter=65|accessdate=29 December 2022}}.</ref> North Ayrshire forms part of the [[Ayrshire and Arran]] [[lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996|year=1996|number=731|accessdate=5 January 2023}}.</ref>

==Demography==
=== Languages ===
The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 130,134 residents aged three and over, 49,833 (38.3%) considered themselves able to speak or read the [[Scots language]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077]</ref>

The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 130,127 residents aged three and over, 1,099 (0.8%) considered themselves able to speak or read [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786]</ref>

==Geography==
The council headquarters are located in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], which is North Ayrshire's largest town. The area also contains the towns of [[Ardrossan]], [[Beith]], [[Dalry, North Ayrshire|Dalry]], [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], [[Kilbirnie]], [[Kilwinning]], [[Largs]], [[Saltcoats]], [[Skelmorlie]], [[Stevenston]], [[West Kilbride]], as well as the [[Isle of Arran]] and [[The Cumbraes|Great and Little Cumbrae]]. The Isle of Arran covers nearly half of the council area's territory, but is home to less than 4% of the population. North Ayrshire is known for its rural countryside, coastlines, beaches and landmarks.

The towns in the north of the area, Skelmorlie, Largs, Fairlie and West Kilbride are affluent commuting towns and with them being on the coast, are very popular with tourists during the summer months. Towns in the south include Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston. Towards the south of the area is Kilwinning and Irvine, the main settlement and largest town in the area. The inland towns of Dalry, Kilbirnie and Beith were steel towns with large steel mills, but these are long gone. Tourism is the main industry on Arran and Cumbrae; however, the number of holiday homes on the latter has begun to squeeze locals out of the housing market. Regeneration is currently taking place at Ardrossan Harbour and Irvine town centre, and there has been a rapid increase in the construction of new housing in recent years.

[[Kelburn Castle]], Fairlie, is the home of the [[Earl of Glasgow|10th Earl of Glasgow]], Patrick Robin Archibald Boyle. The grounds have belonged to the Boyle family since the 1100s. In 2007, the castle was transformed by the [[Kelburn Castle|Graffiti Project]].

==Economy==
[[File:Departing - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Brodick]], a settlement in North Ayrshire on the [[Isle of Arran]].]]
[[File:A View From Millport Isle Of Cumbrae - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|280px|A view from [[Millport, Cumbrae|Millport]]. Tourism, particularly in the islands, is a strong sector of North Ayrshire's economy.]]
North Ayrshire has a slightly higher level of unemployment compared to the Scottish average. North Ayrshire launched an Economic Recovery and Renewal Strategy in September 2020 focusing on economic recovery and a renewal approach which aims to sets out a comprehensive plan for an inclusive and green economic recovery for North Ayrshire. An £8.8 million Investment Fund will be used as a key element of a Green New Deal by:<ref name=greennewdeal>{{cite web |last1=Cullinane |first1=Joe |title=North Ayrshire's Green New Deal |url=https://lgiu.org/north-ayrshires-new-green-deal/ |website=Local Government Information Unit |access-date=5 January 2023 |date=9 November 2020}}</ref>

* Maximising renewable energy generation using the council's land and assets.
* The creation of a new Green Jobs Fund to ensure a [[just transition]] for North Ayrshire.
* Investing in commercial estate including improving sustainability.
* Tackling vacant and derelict land and buildings in town centres.
* Supporting [[community economic development]] including through community regeneration and ownership.
* A tree-planting programme to support carbon absorption.

In May 2020, North Ayrshire Council became the first council in Scotland to become a Community Wealth Building (CWB) Council, setting out a new economic model focused on wellbeing and inclusion. North Ayrshire Council seeks to use Community Wealth Building objectives to support the recovery and renewal of North Ayrshire by creating an economy that works for people, place and planet.

The North Ayrshire approach will see the creation of a new £660,000 Community Wealth Building Business Fund to provide assistance to local business and facilitating the development of co-operatives, employee ownership and social enterprises, supporting local supply chains, fair employment, digital adoption and the transition to a [[green economy]]. North Ayrshire is to benefit from the Ayrshire Growth Deal, an economic plan created by both the [[Scottish Government]] and [[UK Government]]. The £250 million Ayrshire Growth Deal is also central to the plans to support economic recovery through a bold and ambitious investment programme to create and secure jobs within the area of North Ayrshire.<ref name=greennewdeal/>

==Education==
Education in North Ayrshire is provided by North Ayrshire Council, the local authority responsible for the area. Education is provided to children in the area through early years centres, primary schools, secondary schools, home schooling and additional support need facilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Education and learning |url=https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/education-and-learning |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=30 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref> There are currently ten secondary schools in North Ayrshire, all under the responsibility of North Ayrshire Council – [[Ardrossan Academy]], [[Arran High School]], [[Auchenharvie Academy]], Garnock Community Campus, [[Greenwood Academy, Dreghorn|Greenwood Academy]], [[Irvine Royal Academy]], [[Kilwinning Academy]], [[Largs Academy]], Lockhart Campus and [[St Matthew's Academy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Secondary schools |url=https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/school-listings/secondary-schools |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=30 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
| name               = North Ayrshire
| native_name        =
| transcription_name =
| legislature        =
| coa_pic            =
| coa_res            = 
| logo_pic           = North_Ayrshire_Council.svg
| logo_caption       = Council logo 
| house_type         =
| body               =
| houses             =
| leader1_type       = [[Provost (civil)|Provost]]
| leader1            = Anthea Dickson
| party1             = <br>[[Scottish National Party|SNP]]
| election1          = 18 May 2022<ref name=18May2022/>
| leader2_type       = [[Local government in Scotland#Leader of the Council|Leader]]
| leader2            = Marie Burns
| party2             = <br>[[Scottish National Party|SNP]]
| election2          = 18 May 2022
| leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3            = Craig Hatton
| party3             = <!-- Non-political role -->
| election3          = October 2018<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dunn |first1=Ross |title=Craig Hatton appointed new North Ayrshire Council chief executive |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/craig-hatton-appointed-new-north-13345712 |access-date=17 July 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=2 October 2018}}</ref>
| members            = 33 councillors
| house1             =
| house2             =
| structure1         = United Kingdom North Ayrshire council 2025.svg

| structure1_res     = 250px
| political_groups1 = 
; Administration (12)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] (12)
; Other parties (21)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (11)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}| border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (5)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}| border=darkgray}} [[Reform UK]] (2)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independents]] (3)
| structure2         =
| structure2_res     =
| political_groups2  =
| committees1        =
| committees2        =
| joint_committees   =
| voting_system1     = [[Single transferable vote]]
| voting_system2     =
| last_election1     = [[2022 North Ayrshire Council election|6 May 2022]]
| next_election1     = 6 May 2027
| session_room       = Cunningham House, Irvine.jpg
| session_res        =
| meeting_place      = Cunninghame House, Friars Croft, [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], KA12{{nbsp}}8EE
| website            = {{URL|www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk}}
| footnotes          =
}}
[[File:North Ayrshire UK ward map 2017 (blank).svg|thumb|Map of the council area's electoral wards, as of 2017]]

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since 2007, with various minority administrations led by both [[Scottish Labour|Labour]] and the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) operating since then. Following the 2022 election the council is under [[no overall control]], being led by an SNP minority administration.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Council |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Councillors/Council.aspx |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=4 January 2023}}</ref>

The first election to North Ayrshire Council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1996 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || 1996–2007
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2007–
|}

===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] since 1996 have been:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To 
|-
| Jimmy Clements<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 13 April 1995 |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=TX%2bmdWR%2bIGxZz4dOZt8rRZDlGKp8DoxOw8uOOzEKilnVh2Qmub99WQ%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=22 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tributes after first North Ayrshire Council leader dies aged 88 |url=https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/18136656.tributes-first-north-ayrshire-council-leader-dies-aged-88/ |access-date=4 January 2023 |work=Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald |date=3 January 2020}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|1 Apr 1996 || align=right|May 1999
|-
| David O'Neill<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 14 May 1999 |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=129H5kRbG1ZmNQgO2PbOuYxIQWLc0RKujX5N0auTXb8cjKfHqpvApw%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=22 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Irvine councillor hit by mystery illness |url=https://www.irvinetimes.com/news/13808924.irvine-councillor-hit-by-mystery-illness/ |access-date=22 August 2025 |work=Irvine Times |date=11 September 2015}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|14 May 1999 || align=right|May 2012
|-
| Willie Gibson<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 16 May 2012 |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=6IHLjwQj4fVMsUnXn3b6kZfYTHvwj5t%2frzkHwfEqfM%2f9TqEzpDvbEA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=22 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Garrett |first1=Rebecca |title=SNP resign as ruling party on North Ayrshire Council after Irvine West by-election defeat |url=https://www.irvinetimes.com/news/14690248.snp-resign-as-ruling-party-on-north-ayrshire-council-after-irvine-west-by-election-defeat/ |access-date=22 August 2025 |work=Irvine Times |date=18 August 2016}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|16 May 2012 || align=right|30 Aug 2016
|-
| Joe Cullinane<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 30 August 2016 |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=0NWAkgsTsFWkj1oBFTxqHalvLwQUPFDGV9PEPdIj82MFoz1z%2fI0oZA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=22 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dunn |first1=Ross |title=Labour leader speaks out after shock defeat to SNP and Tories in North Ayrshire |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/ayrshire/yjk-26922985 |access-date=22 August 2025 |work=Daily Record |date=10 May 2022}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=right|30 Aug 2016 || align=right|May 2022
|-
| Marie Burns<ref name=18May2022>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 18 May 2022 |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=Dk9K4PaYTeabqhproOjhyx0dFa3aY9qeqj%2b0mPGDUWjbYya%2fdSWiww%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=4 January 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=right|18 May 2022 || align=right|
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2022 North Ayrshire Council election|2022 election]], subsequent by-elections in May 2024 and September 2024, the defection of two [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] to [[Reform UK]], and a third Conservative member quitting the party in July 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe/>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish National Party}} || align=center|12
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Labour}} || align=center|11
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Scottish Conservatives}} || align=center|5
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Reform UK}} || align=center|2
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|3
|-
! colspan=2|Total
! align=center|33
|}

The next election is due in 2027.<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=North Ayrshire |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=north_ayrshire |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=30 July 2024}}</ref>

===Elections===
{{main|North Ayrshire Council elections}}
Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the [[single transferable vote]] system, introduced by the [[Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004]]. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:<ref name=compositions/><ref>{{cite web |title=Election results |url=https://north-ayrshire.cmis.uk.com/north-ayrshire/VotingElections/ElectionResults.aspx |website=North Ayrshire Council |access-date=5 January 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
!rowspan=2|'''Year'''
!rowspan=2|'''Seats'''
!width="80"|[[Scottish National Party|'''SNP''']]
!width="80"|'''[[Scottish Conservatives|Conservative]]'''
!width="80"|[[Scottish Labour|'''Labour''']]
!width="80"|[[Scottish Liberal Democrats|'''Liberal Democrats''']]
!width="80"|[[Independent politician|'''Independent / Other''']]
!rowspan=2|'''Notes'''
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |
|-
| [[1995 North Ayrshire Council election|1995]] || 30 || 1 || 1 || 28 || 0 || 0 || align=left|Labour majority
|-
| [[1999 North Ayrshire Council election|1999]] || 30 || 2 || 2 || 25 || 0 || 1 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The North Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998|year=1998|number=3179|accessdate=5 January 2023}}.</ref> Labour majority
|-
| [[2003 North Ayrshire Council election|2003]] || 30 || 3 || 4 || 22 || 0 || 1 || align=left|Labour majority
|-
| [[2007 North Ayrshire Council election|2007]] || 30 || 8 || 3 || 12 || 2 || 5 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The North Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006|year=2006|number=427|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2012 North Ayrshire Council election|2012]] || 30 || 12 || 1 || 11 || 0 || 6 || align=left|
|-
| [[2017 North Ayrshire Council election|2017]] || 33 || 11 || 7 || 11 || 0 || 4 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The North Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016|year=2016|number=282|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref>
|-
| [[2022 North Ayrshire Council election|2022]] || 33 || 12 || 10 || 9 || 0 || 2 || align=left|New ward boundaries.<ref name=2021order>{{cite legislation Scotland|type=ssi|ssi=The North Ayrshire (Electoral Arrangements) Regulations 2021|year=2021|number=370|accessdate=5 January 2023}}</ref> SNP minority administration
|-
!
!
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Scottish Liberal Democrats}}; width: 3px;" |
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}; width: 3px;" |
!
|}
{{notelist}}

===Premises===
The council is based at Cunnninghame House on Friars Croft in Irvine, which was built in 1975 as the headquarters for the Cunninghame District Council, forming part of the new town centre for Irvine following its designation as a [[New towns in the United Kingdom#Scotland|New Town]].<ref name="£77,000 to fit out this house"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Historic Environment Scotland"/>

===Wards===
As of 2022, the council area is divided into nine multi-member [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]] returning 33 members, composed as follows:<ref name=2021order/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Ward<br>Number
! Ward Name
! Seats
|-
|1
|[[North Coast (North Ayrshire ward)|North Coast]]
|5
|-
|2
|[[Garnock Valley (ward)|Garnock Valley]]
|5
|-
|3
|[[Ardrossan (ward)|Ardrossan]]
|3
|-
|4
|[[Arran (ward)|Arran]]
|1
|-
|5
|[[Saltcoats and Stevenston (ward)|Saltcoats and Stevenston]]
|5
|-
|6
|[[Kilwinning (ward)|Kilwinning]]
|4
|-
|7
|[[Irvine West (ward)|Irvine West]]
|4
|-
|8
|[[Irvine East (ward)|Irvine East]]
|3
|-
|9
|[[Irvine South (ward)|Irvine South]]
|3
|-
|}

===Legal issues===
In 2007 a proposed lighting maintenance contract to be awarded to Centre Great Ltd. was challenged by Lightways, an unsuccessful [[tenderer]] who provided lighting maintenance services in a number of other Scottish council areas. The Council admitted that there had been failings in the way it had undertaken the tender process.<ref>[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/council-wont-probe-lighting-contract-2439312 Council won't probe lighting contract], ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'', updated on 15 October 2013, accessed on 21 April 2025</ref>

===Wider politics===
At the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], North Ayrshire is covered by the [[Central Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Ayrshire]] and [[North Ayrshire and Arran (UK Parliament constituency)|North Ayrshire and Arran]] Parliamentary constituencies, both of which are represented by MPs belonging to the [[Scottish Labour Party]]. In the [[Scottish Parliament]], the council area is divided into [[Cunninghame North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cunninghame North]] and [[Cunninghame South (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cunninghame South]], both represented by MSPs from the Scottish National Party. The council has been a member of the [[Islands Forum (United Kingdom)|Islands Forum]] since 2022.

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Scotland North Ayrshire
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in North Ayrshire.}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.6201|-04.6614}}|position=right|label='''[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.655|-04.703}}|position=top|label='''[[Kilwinning]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.6352|-04.7896}}|position=bottom|label='''[[Saltcoats]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.795|-4.87}}|position=right|label='''[[Largs]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.6432|-04.8097}}|position=left|label='''[[Ardrossan]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.645|-04.758}}|position=right|label='''[[Stevenston]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.755|-4.686}}|position=top|label='''[[Kilbirnie]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.7533|-4.6319}}|position=right|label='''[[Beith]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.711|-4.723}}|position=top|label='''[[Dalry, North Ayrshire|Dalry]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.6966|-04.8576}}|position=right|label='''[[West Kilbride]]'''|label_size=}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
 {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.875|-4.78|}}|position=right|label=''[[Inverclyde#Settlements|Inverclyde]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
 {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.82|-4.68|}}|position=right|label=''[[Renfrewshire#Settlements|Renfrewshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
 {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.789|-4.442|}}|position=left|label=''[[East Renfrewshire#Settlements|E.<br>Renf.]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
 {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.703|-4.574|}}|position=right|label=''[[East Ayrshire#Settlements|East Ayrshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.572|-4.63|}}|position=right|label=''[[South Ayrshire#Settlements|South Ayrshire]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland North Ayrshire|coordinates = {{coord|55.82|-5.35|}}|position=right|label=''[[Argyll and Bute#Settlements|{{nowrap|Argyll and Bute}}]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
}}

The main administration centre and largest settlement in North Ayrshire is [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]], a [[new town]] on the coast of the [[Firth of Clyde]]. The second biggest settlement is [[Kilwinning]], followed by [[Saltcoats]] which is part of the '[[Three Towns#Scotland|Three Towns]]' - [[Ardrossan]], [[Saltcoats]] and [[Stevenston]].
 
On the [[Isle of Arran]], the largest village is [[Lamlash]] and there are numerous smaller villages. On [[Great Cumbrae]], the only town on the island is [[Millport, Cumbrae|Millport]].

Largest settlements by population:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Settlement
!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref name="auto">{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Irvine}}
|-
|[[Kilwinning]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kilwinning}}
|-
|[[Saltcoats]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Saltcoats}}
|-
|[[Largs]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Largs}}
|-
|[[Ardrossan]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Ardrossan}}
|-
|[[Stevenston]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stevenston}}
|-
|[[Kilbirnie]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kilbirnie}}
|-
|[[Beith]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Beith}}
|-
|[[Dalry, North Ayrshire|Dalry]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dalry}}
|-
|[[West Kilbride]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=West Kilbride}}
|-
|}

===Towns (mainland)===

* [[Ardrossan]]
* [[Beith]]
* [[Dalry, North Ayrshire|Dalry]]
* [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]
* [[Kilbirnie]]
* [[Kilwinning]]
* [[Largs]]
* [[Saltcoats]]
* [[Stevenston]]
* [[West Kilbride]]

===Villages (mainland)===
[[File:Irvine's steeples, North Ayrshire, Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] is the most populous town and the [[administrative centre]] for North Ayrshire Council]]
[[File:Ardrossan Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Ardrossan]] is one of the largest towns in North Ayrshire by population]]
* [[Ardeer, North Ayrshire|Ardeer]]
* [[Auchentiber]]
* [[Barrmill, North Ayrshire|Barrmill]]
* [[Benslie]]
* [[Dreghorn]]
* [[Drybridge]]
* [[Fairlie, North Ayrshire|Fairlie]]
* [[Gateside, North Ayrshire|Gateside]]
* [[Girdle Toll]]
* [[Glengarnock]]
* [[Longbar]]
* [[Skelmorlie]]
* [[Springside, North Ayrshire|Springside]]
* [[Stanecastle]]

===Suburbs (mainland)===

* [[Barkip]]
* [[Broomlands]]
* [[Bourtreehill]]
* [[Burnhouse]]
* Castlepark
* [[Crosbie Castle and the Fullarton estate|Crosbie]]
* [[Chapeltoun]]
* [[Cunninghamhead]]
* [[Dalgarven]]
* [[Drakemyre, North Ayrshire|Drakemyre]]
* [[Eglinton Country Park|Eglinton]]
* [[Fergushill]]
* [[Fullarton]]
* [[Giffordland]]
* [[Greenhills, North Ayrshire|Greenhills]]
* [[Hessilhead hamlet]]
* [[Highfield, North Ayrshire|Highfield]]
* [[Hunterston]]
* [[Kelburn Castle|Kelburn]]
* [[Lawthorn]]
* [[Lylestone]]
* [[Meigle, North Ayrshire|Meigle]]
* [[Meikle Auchengree]]
* [[Montgreenan]]
* [[Nettlehirst]]
* [[Perceton]]
* [[Portencross]]
* [[Largs|Routenburn]]
* [[Seamill]]
* [[Monkredding House, North Ayrshire|Sevenacres]]
* [[Shewalton House and estate|Shewalton]]
* [[Torranyard]]

===Villages (Isle of Arran)===
[[File:Cumbrae from above Largs - geograph.org.uk - 886255.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Great Cumbrae]] as seen from [[Largs]]]] 
* [[Blackwaterfoot]]
* [[Brodick]]
* [[Catacol]]
* [[Cladach]]
* [[Corrie, Arran|Corrie]]
* [[Dippen, Arran|Dippen]]
* [[Kildonan, Arran|Kildonan]]
* [[Kilmory, Arran|Kilmory]]
* [[Lagg, Arran|Lagg]]
* [[Lamlash]]
* [[Lochranza]]
* [[Machrie]]
* [[Pirnmill]]
* [[Sannox]]
* [[Shiskine]]
* [[Sliddery]]
* [[Whitefarland]]
* [[Whiting Bay]]

===Settlements (Great Cumbrae)===

* [[Millport, Cumbrae|Millport]]

==Places of interest==
*[[Kelburn Castle]]
*[[Barrmill|Barrmill Park]]
*[[Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park]]
*[[Eglinton Country Park]], [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]]
*[[Eglinton Tournament Bridge]]
*[[Irvine Harbour]]
*[[Spier's school|Spier's Old School Grounds]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Navboxes
| title = North Ayrshire
| list =
{{North Ayrshire}}
{{Secondary Schools of North Ayrshire}}
{{Rugby union in North Ayrshire}}
{{Isle of Arran|state=collapsed}}
{{Castles in North Ayrshire}}
{{North Ayrshire elections}}
{{Wards of North Ayrshire}}
}}

{{Scotland subdivisions}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:North Ayrshire| ]]
[[Category:Council areas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Highlands and Islands of Scotland]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1996]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Scotland]]