Largs Community Council

North Ayrshire Council advised in September 2025 that, in the final phase of Scottish Government funding, improvements are planned for Mackerston play area and around £350,000 is expected to be available. LCC asked Cllr Hill about the plans and no response had been received, so it was agreed to contact North Ayrshire Council directly. In October the Council wrote about the proposed plan for upgrading the play park and offered to send a copy of the final plan. In July 2026 elected members reported on coastal regeneration works, including the new play park and wider improvements being delivered through the Ayrshire Growth Deal; rising construction costs had led to some elements of the original proposals being scaled back, though investment in the North Coast continues.

The Memory Walk has taken place each year since 2023. The 2025 walk was held on 22 June at Barrfields Stadium for Dementia Friendly Largs, and the 2026 walk at Barrfields on 21 June, open to all. An application to the Common Good Fund towards it was successful. The 2026 walk, organised with Dementia Friendly Largs, raised approximately £850 through sponsorship and a tombola supported by local businesses, and is to return next year.

The community garden carried seasonal displays through 2025 and into 2026 — Easter, VE Day, a summer display, VJ Day in August, the Viking Festival, Hallowe'en, Remembrance and Christmas, then a World Cup theme in 2026. CCllr Adair and residents of Sandringham took over the flower beds, and a local resident donated large plants. Thanks were recorded at the 2025 AGM to Fiona Stevenson for the artwork and to the members who work in the garden. The garden costs about £150 to £200 a year and LCC is considering ways to raise it. In July the World Cup display was recorded as having drawn public interest and was to be replaced by a new feature celebrating Lola; general maintenance and planting continue, and volunteers are welcome to help.

Love Largs emoji litter signs were displayed at the school and around the town through 2025, and continued to go up during 2026 — at Bake n Bite in February and Fishworks by June. The large metal sign at Largs Academy, still not up in March 2025, was in place by October. Separately, in February 2025 the Academy's newsletter highlighted pupils dropping litter, and LCC agreed to supply additional posters for display throughout the school at a cost of about £90. One spare sign remained. In July 2026 it was recorded that litter-awareness signage had been installed in local schools, that the campaign was seeking funding to expand its work, and that local businesses were encouraged to display its signage.

A request was made in September 2025 for LCC to support a question to KA Leisure about why the Community Campus could not be made more available to the community, it being open to the public three nights a week. LCC continued to press for longer public opening at the Largs Campus. KA Leisure advised in March 2026 that it was still trying to extend times but could not do so because of operating leases. It was recorded that facilities in the town go unused because young people are not allowed access to them, and that charges at Inverclyde were considered very high. The Community Council agreed to invite KA Leisure's Chief Executive, and local groups, to a meeting, and in April Cllr Murdoch was in discussion with KA Leisure's Chair. In June it was recorded that a karate club had to take forty children to Garnock Academy for a grading because Largs Academy could not be opened. In July the invitation to KA Leisure’s Chief Executive was recorded as ongoing, with CCllr Woodburn to obtain the details needed to issue it.

In February 2025 it was recorded that public toilets would remain open all summer, that Aubery would be reinstated in some way and that Mackerston would close. In March a drainage problem at the Aubery toilets was recorded, with the cost of repair prohibitive. In May concerns were raised about the cost of repairs at Aubery and the lack of documentation from North Ayrshire Council, with a suggestion to use the working toilet as a multi-sex facility meantime. In July LCC proposed that part of a repurposed £1.25m be used to reopen Aubery. In August the Viking Festival provided portaloos during the festival, LCC recorded that it would like more say in how the seafront car park fund is spent, and Kenneth Gibson MSP agreed to take the question forward. In September the Council set out the cost of refurbishment, the position on Aubery and the funds available from the car park, and recorded its view that Largs is well provided for at Gallowgate, Broomfields and the Pencil. In July 2026 elected members reported that discussions were continuing with community organisations about the possible transfer and management of toilet facilities, with the aim of maintaining services despite the Council’s financial pressures. Public toilet provision and refurbishment, including vandal-resistant modular toilets, were among the suggestions recorded for the seafront car park fund.

A proposal for allotments at Douglas Park was raised by a member of the public, who has drawn up a plan he would like considered. North Ayrshire Council has advised that a change of use is required, but little progress has been recorded and the matter appears to be stuck; Cllr Murdoch reported in January 2026 that there had been no meetings. In February it was stated that the community group involved had not progressed the forms required. CCllr Woodburn agreed to email the Council for an update, and the action has been carried forward at every meeting since. In July the action to email the Council for an update was carried forward again.

In May 2025 CCllr Woodburn called for the Community Council to be involved in how money from the fund is disbursed, saying there was no transparency about it, and CCllr Alexander asked whether the proceeds could be transferred to the Community Council; the answer given was that this depends on the setup of the Locality Partnership. Takings from the seafront car park rose by £100,000 after pay and display was installed. The Community Council recorded the view that residents should be able to suggest how the money is spent, with repairs to toilet facilities among the suggestions, and proposed discussing it with members of the public at a meeting. Councillors were due to meet on 22 June 2026 to consider the fund. In January the Council declined to approve money from the fund towards Christmas lights. In May CCllr Woodburn suggested that fines raised in the seafront car park should be paid into the fund; the answer given was that such fines cover the cost of the work that raises them. In July councillors reported that increased income from the car park had created an opportunity to invest in projects for the community, that suggestions were being gathered from elected members, community groups and residents, and that spending decisions rest with the five North Coast elected members, every proposal having to satisfy legal and financial requirements. Suggestions recorded included public toilet provision and refurbishment, vandal-resistant modular public toilets, and solar-powered lighting between Anthony Road and Largs Yacht Haven; questions were raised about transparency and governance of the fund and about how community projects may be proposed. Councillors also answered questions from members of the public about the operation of council funding, the decision-making process for local projects and North Ayrshire Council’s financial position, and encouraged continued public engagement in identifying priorities. The Community Council agreed to develop a list of suggested projects for submission to North Ayrshire Council, and to hold an extraordinary meeting before its next ordinary meeting to discuss them; the Chair is to organise it.

Members of the public raised concern in July 2026 about the condition of Anderson Play Park, in particular uneven and damaged paths considered a potential safety hazard. Previous concerns had been raised with elected representatives, and it was requested that the matter be pursued with North Ayrshire Council. Cllr Murdoch explained that the situation is being monitored.