In progress

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.

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.

Community Council elections were postponed from 2025: the Chair recommended waiting because of the timescales of the Scheme of Establishment review, and a motion to hold them in 2025 was not supported. They were then expected in September or October 2026. In June 2026, with the review still incomplete, it was agreed by all to postpone again until it concludes — proposed by CCllr Phillips, seconded by CCllr Stevenson.

An application by Wetherspoons to become an off-licence was considered. The Community Council agreed that it does not support the application, and the question of overprovision within the town was raised. Part of the application was also to increase capacity inside the premises. The application was postponed to a hearing on 7 September 2026.

North Ayrshire Council identified an underspend of £1.47 million and put three options for its use out for consideration. The Community Council proposed a fourth — using the money to protect the school crossing patrols and to acquire care capacity within the Health and Social Care Partnership — and agreed this unanimously. It was noted that a one-off underspend cannot fund continuing employment, though one-off grants could help various projects. The options return to full Council for a decision.

North Ayrshire Council is reviewing the Scheme of Establishment that governs community councils. LCC was encouraged in May 2025 to participate fully, with details of the process to be sent. In June it was reported that the whole scheme was open for review, with no proposal from North Ayrshire Council of what it wished to change, unlike other councils, and LCC agreed to seek the views of other community councils. A meeting to formulate a response was agreed in July. In September the consultation period was extended to allow further consultation. By May 2026 the review had still not been published and CCllr Woodburn agreed to email North Ayrshire Council for an update; in June it was recorded as likely later in the year. Community Council elections remain postponed until it concludes.

It was reported in May 2026 that the car park at the M&S site was complete and internal fitting was under way, with a possible August opening. The arrangements for entry and exit were discussed, though it was not settled whether these would be left turn only. The footway outside has been resurfaced. In June it was confirmed that there would be both right and left turns into and out of the site with no restriction, and that the pathways would be completed within the financial year. A question remained about the pavement at the old RBS.

A manhole cover outside a guest house on Irvine Road was fixed by December 2024, when two further covers were causing concern. In June 2026 Scottish Water apologised for the manhole covers on Irvine Road and was reported to be looking for a long-term solution.

In October 2025 Kenneth Gibson MSP reported advice that Largs did not meet the criteria for a banking hub and asked for the decision to be reviewed; the Community Council recorded that it did not accept the finding and supported further action. Kenneth Gibson MSP was pursuing a banking hub for Largs with Link, with a meeting at Holyrood in November 2025 with that company's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. Cllr Hill, Cllr Collyer and a representative of Cash Access UK visited YourSpace looking for suitable premises for a cash service; that company is operated by the Post Office and funded by major high street banks, and was looking for temporary premises in Largs. A petition was discussed and not thought necessary while the MSP was already pursuing the matter. In December it was recorded that a cash hub, run by the Post Office, had been agreed for Largs once a location is agreed, following the example of West Kilbride, where a hub had created two jobs. Information drop-in sessions for the Largs Cash Hub were arranged at the Bank of Scotland on 16 June and 21 July 2026, 10am to 2pm.

Questions were raised in January 2025 about the Participatory Budget: a voting system that appeared to favour larger groups, the same groups succeeding each year, no feedback given to unsuccessful applicants, and whether a biannual system would be fairer. It was the first year the budget had been oversubscribed. In February the Council advised the process was being evaluated, recommended that groups encourage people to vote for them, and undertook to note that unsuccessful groups are not told their vote numbers. No later minutes record the outcome of that evaluation. A drop-in session for interested groups was held at Largs Library in August 2025, £1,000 was paid to LCC in January 2026, and funding remained available in May 2026 towards boards at the community garden.

Residents raising the condition of pavements in June 2025 were advised to email AMEY Highways directly. In August residents were asked to send photographs of roads or pavements needing improvement to the Community Council's Facebook page or email address. The Community Council recorded dissatisfaction with several aspects of AMEY's management of the A78 and agreed to seek to engage with the company, either privately or at a public meeting. The matters listed were the Fort Road traffic junction, the M&S crossing being out of action, flooding at Geraldo's, road closures with unsuitable diversions, the resurfacing of the A78 and damaged manholes, and a lack of community engagement. In March 2026 it was recorded that the drainage problem and lack of signage at Geraldo's and Costa were to be dealt with the following week. In April Cllr Murdoch was still pursuing the resurfacing of the footways from M&S to the roundabout, and various roads in the area were due to be resurfaced during the year. On potholes, it was explained that the roads inspector categorises each one to determine the repair required, and that claims for damage to cars are referred to the Council's insurer and are difficult to prove. In May Transport Scotland gave an assurance that every traffic management on the A78 through Largs would be manually operated from 7am to 7pm, and residents were reminded to report failed signals, such as the lights stuck on red at Haylie, to the police. The footway outside the M&S site had been resurfaced, with the stretch to the roundabout at Aitken Street and the Irvine Road footway to follow, and concern was recorded about the standard of pothole filling. Holes in the edging of the promenade near the RNLI station were reported as already in hand.

A member of the public asked in August 2025 what was being done for young people, noting a lack of awareness of what already exists; an open football pitch and IT upskilling were suggested, and the young person was invited to work with LCC. In November Alexander Hughes was appointed an Appointed Adviser on youth in the community, having raised the lack of places for young people to meet and get support and an interest in mental health among them, and a group was set up to agree a plan. Space was secured at Vikingar for a Youth Project Safe Space, with an introductory event in February 2026 and £160 agreed towards advertising flyers, proposed by CCllr Macintosh and seconded by CCllr Stevenson. In April a taster musical workshop was hosted free of charge at Largs Naz Church as part of a youth mental health initiative, leading to a six-week block being planned, with further events discussed at Largs Academy.

North Ayrshire Council's Cabinet decided on a blanket 20mph limit across North Ayrshire, implemented through temporary traffic regulations, with all streets requiring new signage. CCllr Woodburn reported that the decision was taken without consultation, that a full debate of all councillors had been refused, and that the accident statistics did not support it. The view of those present in June 2025 was that a blanket limit was not required and should instead be targeted. In March 2026 problems with the position of signage were raised and Cllr Murdoch agreed there were inconsistencies in the town. In April he described the limit as a temporary arrangement with an eighteen-month consultation period. The cost is borne by the Scottish Government.

LCC agreed to write an open letter to the five elected members proposing that £1.25m allocated to the i3 site in Irvine be repurposed and shared between communities, with Largs's share going towards a community minibus, flower beds on the promenade and, subject to funds remaining, works to reopen the Aubery toilets. Other community councils were to be asked to support the approach. In February 2026 CCllr Woodburn recorded that he had asked about redistributing the money to local communities in August 2025 and had received no reply.

In December 2025 CCllr Stewart, on behalf of the Community Council, facilitated a first meeting at Vikingar on the future of St Columba's Church, citing the Barony Church in West Kilbride as an example of what can be achieved, with volunteers sought to take on roles. A Friends of St Columba's group formed and was reported as active in January 2026. In February the Chair reported that, without warning, the church had been given a closing date for its sale the previous day. The Friends made a competitive offer, conditional on the Church of Scotland retaining the building while surveys were carried out and funding explored. The trustees were due to decide between bidders that evening. No later minutes record the outcome.

Largs Events recorded difficulty securing a budget for the Christmas lights, and that North Ayrshire Council declined to approve money from the car park fund because of previous budget decisions. Council electricians were no longer certified to install on AMEY street furniture, and completing the installation through AMEY's appointed contractor cost Largs Events approximately £3,000. AMEY has put the cost forward to its community fund.

A handrail for the beach steps at the bottom of May Street was raised in 2024, when Cllr Murdoch agreed to take it forward. By September 2025 no update had been received and two incidents of women being injured at the steps had been recorded. LCC agreed to raise it directly with North Ayrshire Council, then decided not to after Cllr Murdoch confirmed he was still pursuing it, to avoid duplication, and to follow progress instead. In October 2025 it was recorded that the railing was to be installed by the Council on 3 November 2025. No later minute records whether the installation took place.

A proposal for an aerial gondola, arising from the Largs Local Place Plan, was approached tentatively by a company in February 2025. In March CCllr Alexander asked LCC to enter a letter of intent with Gondola Ventures for a feasibility study into an aerial cableway, and all agreed to proceed; the letter of intent was signed in April. The company visited Largs in May for a feasibility study hosted by LCC, with North Coast councillors invited; CCllr Alexander emphasised that the project was at a very early stage. A Zoom meeting followed in July, and in August a meeting took place with the company and landowners, recorded as being under non-disclosure. By September it was described as an ongoing, long-term project. In October engagement was recorded as continuing.

The absence of a sound loop in the Valhalladrome at Vikingar was raised, with the Hakkison Lecture given as an occasion where many people struggle to hear. LCC agreed to raise it with the management. In October it was recorded that KA Leisure would organise the correct sound system for the Valhalladrome for the following year's Viking Festival.

An invitation to the Observatory Trust to speak to the Community Council was agreed in April 2025. After its presentation in June, LCC agreed to host a meeting of community groups later in the year in support of restoring the Observatory, for which £158,000 is required; LCC recorded that it was keen to help particularly because of the Olympic Games being held in Brisbane in 2032. The Trust has obtained a lease on the building, which is now listed. Kenneth Gibson MSP offered support with any future plans. The action was carried forward at each meeting to September; in October it was recorded as an event to coincide with the opening ceremony of the 2032 Olympics, with community groups to be contacted later in the year.

The absence of a school crossing warden at the junction of Holehouse Road and Alexander Avenue was raised. North Ayrshire Council replied explaining the staffing position and said it hoped to have someone in place soon.

Play park equipment was ordered for installation over the summer, confirmed in March 2025. Concern was raised in June about ground levels at the new play area being unsafe for children, and a letter was sent to North Ayrshire Council. A time capsule was bought for an opening ceremony. In August the new park was compared with what has been provided in Irvine and Kilwinning. Kenneth Gibson MSP confirmed that it is for the local authority to decide how funding received from the Scottish Government is spent, that North Ayrshire should be allocated equitably, and that it falls to the five elected councillors to see that it is; he agreed to raise the strategy for play areas, and how much has been allocated, with North Ayrshire Council. Concern was recorded about the lack of response to freedom of information requests.

An application form was constructed with the trustees and young people, and the online application process went live in April 2025, running to 30 April, with the trustees deciding on applications. Around £70,000 remained in July, with applications due to reopen in October. LCC recorded that it has no oversight of how the fund is disbursed. CCllr Alexander advised in February 2025 that the charity's accounts had not yet been submitted to the Scottish charity register for that year.

The effect of high energy prices on local businesses was raised, together with an arrangement by which local communities can buy energy at a reduced rate. Businesses would need to be involved.

A letter from LCC to the Chair of Helter Skelter requesting a trustee position remained unanswered. The minutes record LCC's disappointment that its offer to be involved had not been responded to.

Approval was given to obtain a quotation for chippings and a weed barrier for the rose garden section, on a motion proposed by CCllr Low Thomson and seconded by CCllr Adair, and the upgrade was recorded as ongoing in February. In March the upgrade was scheduled alongside the Easter display on 5 April 2025, with volunteers sought. No later minute records it separately.

Funding for the Food Hub was due to end in October, which was not known when the hub opened. The two meetings name the funder differently — Scottish Government funding in January, North Ayrshire Council funding in February. Concern was recorded about its viability after only a year, and about how much is expected of volunteers. A larder network meeting in March was to discuss finances.