The Neighbourhood Board (We Make Kilmarnock) is preparing to recruit for a Chair of the Board and Board Members.
We Make Kilmarnock is the name for Kilmarnock’s Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board and the programme which underpins it. It is funded primarily through £20 million from UK Government over 10 years.
We Make Kilmarnock has an approved Pride in Place Plan which sets out what the monies are to be spent on and why. The Pride in Place Plan is part of a wider Kilmarnock Town Centre Masterplan which is currently out for public consultation.
It is an exciting time to join the Board as it moves into delivery and as the wider ambitions for Kilmarnock to 2040 have been set out in the first masterplan since the 1970s.
Kilmarnock Regeneration Plan for Neighbourhoods
View our plan and summary version below:
Kilmarnock Regeneration Plan for Neighbourhoods (PDF 12.85 MB)
Kilmarnock Regeneration Plan for Neighbourhoods - Summary Plan (PDF 8.22 MB)
Members of the Board
Our Board, in line with UK Government requirements, is currently made up as follows:
- Chair – vacant, formerly Dr Fiona McKenzie OBE Founder of Centrestage Communities Ltd
- Lillian Jones, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency
- Alan Brown MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
- Rev David Cameron, Minister, New Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock and Convener, Assembly Trustees of the Church of Scotland
- Billy Bowie, Managing Director, Billy Bowie Special Projects Ltd
- Councillor Douglas Reid, East Ayrshire Council
- Councillor Barry Douglas, East Ayrshire Council
- Conrad Tricket, Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent, Ayrshire Division
- Joe McLachlan, Chief Executive, East Ayrshire Council
- Barry Morton, Head of Facilities, Ayrshire College
- Chris McMail, Managing Director at Microtech Group
- Lynne McNiven, Director of Public Health at NHSAA
- Craig Hume, Director at Utopia Computers
Key responsibilities
The Board’s key responsibilities relate to:
- defining the vision and setting the strategy for Kilmarnock, driving priorities for investment and supporting ongoing community engagement
- delivering on the 10-year Pride in Place Plan for Kilmarnock, as part of the wider Kilmarnock Vision and Concept Masterplan which sets out how local partners will use knowledge, powers, assets and funding to deliver for Kilmarnock and improve the physical and social infrastructure of the community in line with the principles and guidance set out in the UK Government: Plan for Neighbourhoods
- identifying opportunities and co-ordinating resources, attracting investment and engaging stakeholders
Being a member of the Board is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in Kilmarnock’s future.
As a Board member, you will work to provide strategic leadership and direction, influencing and advocating on behalf of We Make Kilmarnock.
You will help shape We Make Kilmarnock’s long-term vision and priorities, ensure strong financial stewardship and support the delivery of its objectives.
You will also act as an ambassador for We Make Kilmarnock, building relationships with key partners and stakeholders and taking a key role in the delivery of the Masterplan for Kilmarnock.
Person specification
The successful candidates will be solution focussed and have a can-do attitude. They will ideally have business and/or community acumen and will offer maximum benefit to We Make Kilmarnock through their reputation, visibility, and networks.
The Board requires to be led by an independent chair, and most members of the Board will be people who live or work in Kilmarnock or have a deep connection to it.
Terms of appointment
Board members will be appointed for an initial term to March 2030 aligning with the end of the first investment period, but terms may be extended by mutual agreement.
The role is voluntary and unremunerated. However, reasonable expenses can be reimbursed - these may include travel, childcare costs and other reasonable expenses that enable members to attend.
The Board generally meets monthly, with meetings held in person in Kilmarnock.
The Chair of the Board is an appointment made by the Council in discussion with the MP. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a formal discussion.
How to apply for this role
If you think that this role might be for you, please email the Board Secretariat Karen Purves at karen.purves@east-ayrshire.gov.uk to express your interest.
