Highlights from the last 2 weeks

Teams meeting with Sharon Glendinning who is the Employability Coordinator with Countryside Learning Scotland (CLS).

Sharon is currently working with Dumfries and Galloway (D & G ) Council. Specifically, she works with identified groups of 15 - 24-year-olds encouraging transition into work, in rural related training and career opportunities within the countryside and outdoor industries.

Teams meeting with Marjorie Harvey from East Ayrshire Education who is managing the setting up of SL 33 in Galston, within the New Town Chambers.

Over the last few years, I have reported frequently about the 'SL 33' concept and my desire to get SL 33 into Galston. Its purpose is to encourage young people between the ages of 16 and 26 - who have previously NOT engaged properly with school to get into some sort of training / apprenticeship programme.

I'm encouraging more traditional trades apprenticeship programmes plus hoping to emulate the D & G programme referred to above.

Constituent meeting - Manse Place - road / pavement improvement

Project 71 is the litter pick along the A 71.

The goal is to clear the road of roadside litter - where it is safe to do so. This is week 3, we're heading east from Hurlford!

Governance & Scrutiny meeting, I Vice Chair this meeting.

The most important items on the agenda related to our young people, they were..... the HMIE reports for Grange Academy, Hurlford Primary School and ECC, Loanhead Primary School, then followed the Education Standards and Quality Report for 24/25 and 'Outwith Placements' for children.

Along with Cllr Graham Boyd, I welcomed pupils from Mauchline primary School to Galston to follow the Galston town trail - a fascinating history trip through the town.

Mauchline Primary School is looking for inspiration to develop their own town trail and are also - like Newmilns - looking at developing a local history App.

I was invited by the John Smith Centre (JSC) to join a political debate at Kilmarnock Academy. The John Smith Centre, based at the University of Glasgow, works to open doors to young people who want to get involved in politics and public life.

The JSC has a new project this year, working with schools across the west of Scotland, and specifically with modern studies pupils in S5 and S6. The aim is to inspire young people to get involved in politics, Lillian Jones MP and I were invited to speak - about ourselves and how we became involved.

Newmilns Regeneration Association (NRA) meeting

Darvel Primary School - parent council meeting - specifically to discuss road safety at and near to the school

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Stephen Cowan, the new Head Teacher (HT) at Loudoun Academy. I look forward to working with Stephen in the many areas where schools and the communities overlap.

While sitting in reception I noticed a wall plaque and realised why this school has always felt so familiar. It was completed and opened at about the same time as my secondary school in South Wales - and must have been the same Architect!

DDCC meeting

Full Council. A significant amount of debate was spent on the devastating M & S news, that the Kilmarnock store will be closing and a new store opening in the Queens Drive Retail Park.

The impact on Kilmarnock town centre we all recognise will be devastating. This should have been foreseen, with any potential interventions identified and made - sadly, the administration has been asleep at the wheel!

Litter Pick - week 4 of project A71 and we are moving east!

Autumn planting at the Galston War Memorial, assisted by my daughter Lucy.