Stewart McConnell

Troon

Journalist at Freelance

😀

Articles

Shocking rise in assaults on emergency workers in North Ayrshire revealed

1 week ago | ardrossanherald.com | Stewart McConnell

Ayrshire Divisional Commander Suzanne Chow revealed the shocking figures at a recent meeting of North Ayrshire Council's Police and Fire Committee. The most common attacks on emergency workers involved spitting, head-butting and punching. Addressing the attacks, the police chief said: "This increase is primarily due to the number of common assaults on emergency workers including the police and fire service.
New David Attenborough documentary filmed in Ayrshire with focus on oceans

1 week ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

Film crews descended on Ayrshire for the landmark film. A hugely popular island centre has been praised by a filming director after it was featured on a critically acclaimed documentary by veteran wildlife and nature guru Sir David Attenborough. The North Ayrshire Council Community Learning and Development team are proud to reveal that Arran Outdoor Education Centre was one of the filming location bases for Ocean, Sir David’s new record-breaking documentary.
North Ayrshire Conservative group rail against 20mph zone plans

1 week ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

The group called on the council to suspend the implementation of the new rules. Angry Tories have “called in” controversial plans agreed by North Ayrshire Council to implement the controversial 20mph speed limit on urban roads. They suggest it will dilute police and council resources and adversely affect public transport efficiency.
Police report reveals more drug drivers are being caught in North Ayrshire

1 week ago | ardrossanherald.com | Stewart McConnell

In a report to the North Ayrshire Police, Fire and Rescue Committee, it was revealed that the number of road offences in 2024-25 had fallen by 13.7 per cent on the previous year. They were also down 1.1 per cent on the five-year average. A total of 332 speeding crimes were reported, showing a big drop from the previous year’s total of 640 and the five-year average of 513.
More than 1,200 pupils warned about dangers of drugs, booze and vaping

1 week ago | ardrossanherald.com | Stewart McConnell

This year saw the first Education and Prevention Roadshow for all S1 pupils across North Ayrshire schools, with around 1,285 participants. Partners from Prevention and Service Support Team, Children First, KA Leisure, North Ayrshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Turning Point Scotland, North Ayrshire Prevention, Early intervention and Recovery (PEAR) Service, Police Scotland and Trading Standards were keen to be involved.
Taxi licence granted despite going against North Ayrshire policy

1 week ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

The green light was given for the non-wheelchair accessible vehicle. A taxi driver was given a licence for a non-wheelchair accessible vehicle, despite it going against North Ayrshire Licensing Board policy. Mary Hewitt applied for a new taxi licence for a vehicle without wheelchair provision and appeared at the Licensing Board last Wednesday.
Major £4.23 overhaul of Ayrshire Gypsy Travellers site in pipeline

1 week ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

The redeveloped site would create 16 new larger pitches which provide tenants with an amenity block comprising: open plan kitchen / dining / living room, double bedroom, second lounge. A major overhaul is set to be carried out at Irvine’s Gypsy Travellers Site with accommodation set to be revamped.
Child poverty rates fall more in North Ayrshire than anywhere else in Scotland

1 week ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

But the council's leader has insisted there's still a lot of work to do. Child poverty rates have fallen more steeply in North Ayrshire than anywhere else in Scotland, welcome figures have revealed. However North Ayrshire Council leader Marie Burns, who has made tackling the problem one of her administration’s flagship priorities, insists the authority still have a lot of work to do. Levels of child poverty in North Ayrshire have fallen by almost five percent, according to a new report.
North Ayrshire taxi driver gets non-wheelchair accessible licence despite policy

1 week ago | ardrossanherald.com | Stewart McConnell

Mary Hewitt applied for a new taxi licence for a vehicle without wheelchair provision and appeared at the Licensing Board last Wednesday. Licensing chair Eleanor Collier said: “You have to convince us that you are entitled to an exception as this is against our policy.” The applicant said: “The car I was driving before was a normal saloon car, my husband’s name was on the licence but I had been driving it for 28 years and anybody I pick up is really elderly.
South Lanarkshire educational establishments performed well during inspections

2 weeks ago | dailyrecord.co.uk | Stewart McConnell

Of the 17 facilities that inspectors visited, their ratings were higher than a host of other local authorities. Seventeen educational establishments were inspected in South Lanarkshire during 2024-25 and their ratings were higher than a host of other local authorities. Seven primary schools experienced the full model for inspection, and three of those primary schools had nursery classes.