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Progress report
Welcome to the quarterly progress update for the Ayrshire Growth Deal. In this bulletin we're aiming to give you an overview of the latest progress of the programme while signposting you to upcoming engagements and opportunities to get involved.
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As we step into a new quarter, we’re pleased to share the latest developments, milestones and insights from across the Ayrshire Growth Deal Programme.
Highlights
In terms of programme progress, the highlights of the last quarter include good business case progress, with one gaining approval, and five business or change management cases submitted for governmental review.
We expect to hear further feedback or endorsement on business cases currently under consideration which will be mentioned within this newsletter in project specific updates.
Key Partner get together
To maintain progress going into a new financial year, the PMO hosted a Key Partner get together. There was discussion about the implementation of plans for the year ahead, and representatives from the Edinburgh City Deal gave an insightful presentation focusing on Benefits Realisation Methodology.
Several other events also took place this quarter, including an AGD MP engagement session led and hosted by UK Government colleagues, an AGD Food and Drink Education Event, and the Great Harbour Coastal Hub Naming Ceremony.
Annual Report
We've finally published our Ayrshire Growth Deal Annual Performance Report 2024/25
The report highlights milestones, achievements and progress made through the year but importantly it outlines what else needs to be done and how partners are working hard to progress at pace:
“We are encouraged by the progress of the AGD in 2024/25, and equally mindful of the work still to be done.
"As we look forward to another year of delivery, we remain committed to working collaboratively across all partners to ensure that the Deal delivers on its aim to support an inclusive economy for Ayrshire that benefits all.”
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The Ayrshire Growth Deal Communities Programme focuses on the health, wellbeing and progress of our local communities.
Two live projects sit within this theme:
- Working for a Healthy Economy (WfHE)
- Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF)
One project is now complete
- Community Wealth Building (CWB)
All these projects have been in delivery for several years and are making good progress towards achieving objectives, and in some cases, exceeding key outputs by some distance.
Working for a Healthy Economy (WfHE)
The WfHE project, which is committed to supporting individuals manage and improve their health to progress or sustain employment, is progressing well. Furthermore, it is having a positive impact upon and improving the lives and livelihoods of local individuals.
Work is currently being carried out with the Partners and PMO to review the benefits projected and ensure the project is reaching its full potential.
In the meantime, the NHS Salus team, key delivery partners for the project, have shared the following impacts:
Clients engaging through to support completion, have, on average experienced:
- 28% improvement in their overall state of health and wellbeing
- 35% reduction in their levels of anxiety
- 45% reduction in their levels of depression
At the point of discharge from support (approximately 20 weeks), clients presented with the following additional positive improvements in their circumstances:
- 13% of clients presented as work ready and were actively engaging with their employability support advisor to seek progress to work
- 3% commenced vocational training
- 11% presented as training ready and awaiting an opportunity to commence training
- 3% moved into education
- 6% had commenced enquiries/support towards further education
- 45% of clients could demonstrate a reduction in the barriers experienced in gaining employment
- 19% had engaged in further activities to progress their momentum towards work
- 35% could demonstrate increased activity levels, creating positive structure, routine and therefore progress towards being able to engage in/sustain work
- 24% of clients were supported to engage in further support services to continue their progress
Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund
The ASIF project is also progressing well as it continues to work with partners, employers and employees to deliver a range of interventions to address skills gaps across the region and equip people with the ability to compete effectively in the labour market, ensuring Ayrshire has the skills required for the future.
The recently published Annual Performance Report shared these positive impacts:
- 100% of businesses have noted a positive impact since receiving ASIF funding
- 92% of businesses have addressed the skills gap
- 69% have promoted staff and notice increase in productivity
- 23% have created new jobs (may increase in time)
- 92% think ASIF will benefit the Ayrshire economy
What ASIF recipients say:
The ASIF project has supported hundreds of local businesses to invest in their people:
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The Economic Infrastructure programme focuses on creating conditions for growth, providing local jobs, strong regional supply chains and skills development across a number of sectors in Ayrshire.
Major capital projects
Five major capital projects sit within the Economic Infrastructure theme. These include:
One completed project
Two projects in delivery
- i3 Flexible Business Space
- i3 Digital Processing Manufacturing Centre (DPMC)
Two projects which will enter delivery this year
- Ayrshire Engineering Park (AEP)
- Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor (AMIC)
These projects directly counter historic market failure and seek to meet high demand within the Ayrshire economy.
Influencing the Influencer
During this quarter the spotlight was turned on the AMIC and AEP projects.
The project team hosted a successful "Influencing the Influencer - Food, Drink and Agriculture" event.
The event brought together passionate educators and industry leaders from Ayrshire’s vibrant Food, Drink and Agriculture sectors.
With inspiring keynotes, hands-on demonstrations, information market stalls and meaningful conversations, all the attendees - including teachers and educators from all corners of Ayrshire - left the event better equipped to support and guide young people toward exciting careers in these dynamic industries.
Project phases progress
As well as events, this quarter has seen final business case progress made towards the first phase of Ayrshire Innovation Park, with work expected to start this month.
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“The co-location of AMIC and the Ayrshire Engineering Park at Moorfield will be transformative for the Food and Drink Sector. For years, food and drink businesses in Ayrshire have lacked access to modern, scalable facilities that support innovation and growth. This project not only addresses that gap but also creates a collaborative environment where producers, engineers, and educators can work together to drive forward sustainable manufacturing. It’s a major step towards making Ayrshire a national leader in food and drink production.”
Fiona Paterson, Project Lead
The first phases of projects at i3 Irvine are progressing well, with focus on developing business cases for the next phases of i3 Flexi Space and DPMC.
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The Energy, Circular Economy and Environment Programme will unlock the benefits of developing low carbon energy technologies and solutions.
Ayrshire’s location and natural resources offer the potential to create new jobs, reduce carbon emissions and contribute to achieving net zero by 2045.
Three projects sit within this theme:
- Community Renewable Energy (CoRE)
- Hunterston Strategic Development Area and International Marine Science and Environment Centre (IMSE)
- International Marine Science and Environment Centre (IMSE)
CoRE Business Case
This quarter saw the submission of CoRE’s Phase 1 Full Business Case for its pathfinder demonstrator projects.
This case is now under review, pending endorsement from the UK and Scottish Governments.
Approval of the FBC will give the green light for six pathfinder projects:
- Retrofit of housing at Meager Court in Barshare, Cumnock to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions
- Large scale ‘net zero’ transition for Rankinston, including renewable energy generation, district heating, housing retrofit and sustainable transport initiatives
- Community electric car club project with Coalfields Community Transport
Inclusive e-bike club in Cumnock
- Equiflex Flexible Energy project to shift energy consumption from peak to off- peak times when electricity is cheaper
- Provision of professional technical advice and support to access the Scottish Government’s Community Energy Renewables (CARES) funding scheme, to help more groups implement decarbonisation and insulation measures.
IMSE and Hunterston
Project work for IMSE continues through a strong partnership approach whilst work on Hunterston is focusing on scoping and developing relevant interventions for the project to maximise the outcomes and outputs for the region.
 Tourism Programme
Tourism is a key sector in Ayrshire. This programme builds on the existing tourism offer to make the region a highly desirable place in which to visit and live, work and invest.
This theme comprises the Great Harbour project and the Marine Tourism project.
Work continues on the ambitious Great Harbour project, set to transform Irvine’s Harbourside area. This first phase of the works is expected to be completed in October.
Further business case development has progressed within the Marine Tourism programme's Cumbrae OBC under consideration with the Scottish Government as the Arran OBC is developed for review.
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 Aerospace trajectory
The Space and Aerospace programme focuses on positioning Ayrshire as one of the UK’s leading centres of aerospace and space activity.
South Ayrshire Council, as lead authority, welcomed confirmation of UK Government and Scottish Government ministerial support for the trajectory of change within the programme. This support allows them to push forward with the development and delivery of key projects with greater pace, confidence and assurance.
Should local governance channels support proposals, the new programme for Aerospace will consist of three key projects:
- Prestwick Commercial Build which will support the sector to scale premises to meet demand
- Aerospace and Space Technology Application Centre which will seek to support sectoral skills and innovation demand
- Prestwick Infrastructure Roads which is crucial to tie key strategic sites and enable further growth in the region.
ASIF support
This theme is also being supported by the ASIF programme which recently invested in a 12-week Aerospace Engineering course at Ayrshire College.
Councillor Brian Connolly, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, said:
“We’ve already seen hundreds of employees’ complete courses which will enhance their skills and opportunities within key sectors in the Ayrshire economy.
“This aerospace course at Ayrshire College is another fantastic addition to inspire careers in engineering.”
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The Building Digital Capital (BDC) project is a new project proposal aiming to enhance digital infrastructure and capabilities across the region.
The change management process is set to conclude in coming weeks and months, enabling the project to progress to further business case and delivery stages.
Building Digital Capital will strengthen Ayrshire’s approach to creating an Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem through strong collaboration, soft and hard digital infrastructure as stated by Julia McMurdie, Digital Renewal Lead, Ayrshire 5GIR:
“It has been an exciting year of collaboration across Ayrshire as we’ve taken the foundations built through the Ayrshire Growth Deal and our Innovation Hubs and used them to establish the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region.
"The 5GIR programme gave us the chance to test, learn and innovate across advanced manufacturing, aerospace, tourism and skills. It has given us valuable knowledge, time and experience, and above all, it has built strong partnerships across public, private and academic sectors.
"These foundations are now directly informing the AGD Building Digital Capital Programme, ensuring that we are not only investing in networks and infrastructure but also creating the skills, capacity and confidence for Ayrshire to thrive as an innovation region.
"What excites me most is the commitment from our partners: councils, universities, colleges and industry, who are all invested in making this work. We are no longer working in silos; we are building a connected ecosystem that provides businesses, learners, and councils with the tools to succeed in the digital economy.
"Our next step is to formalise collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding and continue to deepen collective efforts. We are only at the beginning of Ayrshire’s journey as a leading digital innovation ecosystem, but the foundations, excitement, and interest we have built provide the momentum to seize the opportunities ahead.
"All of this accumulated in a fantastic event with over 100 attendees, all excited about the opportunity that the Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem (ADEE) now offers to move innovation forward."
Julia McMurdie. Digital Renewal Lead, Ayrshire 5GIR
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Questions? Get in touch
That brings us to the end of the AGD Progress Update for this quarter. Please get in touch with the team if you have any questions or wish to engage with us on any of the opportunities featured.
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