October Newsletter

Oct 31, 2025

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the first ever publication of my monthly newsletter! I have worked with my team to put together a brief overview of what we have been up to over the past month.

Casework Wins

Helping a Resident Access Support for Heating Funding

A local resident contacted our office after struggling to get the necessary medical evidence from their GP to support an application for funding to install central heating. Their doctor’s surgery had declined to provide a stamped letter confirming their health condition, which is a requirement to receive the grant.

We got in touch with the surgery to explain the situation and the importance of the documentation. After our intervention, the surgery agreed to provide the letter, enabling the resident to access the funding and replace their coal fire with a safe, efficient central heating system.

We’re really pleased to have helped make a difference and ensure our constituent could stay warm and well at home.

Supporting a Couple with Care Home Funding

We were contacted by a constituent acting on behalf of her parents, who both live in a care home. The family were struggling to get clear communication from the council about care funding arrangements.

The wife’s savings were due to fall below the £35,000 threshold, meaning she would become eligible for council support with care costs, but despite notifying the council, they hadn’t received a response. At the same time, her husband’s home was being sold, and there was confusion around how the council would recover care costs through a charge on the property.

Our team stepped in to liaise with the local authority, clarify the process, and ensure everything was properly arranged. As a result, the funding arrangements were resolved, and the couple now have peace of mind that their care costs are being handled fairly and in line with the rules.

Parliamentary Update

Pre 97 Pension Justice Alliance Drop-in Event

In parliament, there was an event in the House of Lords, sponsored by Lord Bryn Davies of Brixton, on Wednesday 29 October. The drop in session was an informal event for Pre-97 Justice. The Leaders of the Pre 97 Pension Justice Alliance, representing 50,000 people has been campaigning for trustees and employers to apply indexation to services earned.

Royal Mail Delivery Issues in Troon

You may remember from my previous Troon Going Out Article, that some of you have written in to me regarding post-delivery issues in the Troon area. Thank you to everyone who has written to me on this situation. I wanted to update you on where I have got with resolving this. This week, I held a meeting in Parliament with David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy and Senior Political Affairs Manager, Michael Hogg for Royal Mail. We discussed Royal Mail plans for the Ayrshire wide postal facilities, and I raised your concerns with the delivery service in Troon. They have agreed to write to me regarding the Troon Royal Mail service and outline any changes to the service. I will be sending regular updates on this in my newsletter. If you would like to keep up to date with how we are getting on and more details regarding this, please email me at Alan.Gemmell.MP@Parliament.uk

Constituency Update

World Book Day Donations

Earlier this year, I was delighted to receive hundreds of books on behalf of Central Ayrshire as part of a social media competition for MPs to celebrate World Book Day. I have been dropping off the books to local schools across Ayrshire. Thanks to the schools for making me feel so welcome, and a huge thanks to World Book Day and the Publishers’ Association for organising the competition and donating these important resources to young people across Central Ayrshire.

National Lottery Fund

The National Lottery Community Fund have distributed nearly £85,000 over the past few months to community groups to help projects of all shapes and sizes. Mar Cappella received £2,800 to deliver three choir concerts and social activities where they will engage at least 50 people. Troon Development Trust received a £14,000 grant to deliver a programme of thirty wellbeing events and activities throughout Troon over two years. Micah Project Troon received £15,400 to help source, supply and distribute pre-loved clothing from their base in Troon. Craigie Village Hall received £12,400 to help with the running costs and redecoration of the hall. Woodland Wakeup received a grant of £19,999 to deliver a programme of summer outdoor activities/nature sessions to young carers, people with ASN/neurodivergence, refugees, people in recovery from experiencing trauma, and people with poor mental health and finally Irvine Sports Club received a £20,000 grant to help support the provision of mental health activities to 500+ people. Thank-you to TNL Lottery Fund for continuing to support groups up and down the country.

Ambitious for Ayrshire

I’m pleased to have launched a new ‘Ambitious Ayrshire’ consultation alongside my Ayrshire MP colleagues and a team of local experts committed to boosting the Ayrshire economy. Willie Mackie, chair of Prestwick Airport, and Jim McMahon from West Coast Capital have joined the project’s board alongside Claire Baird, CEO of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Angela Cox, principal of Ayrshire College. I’m looking forward to working together to help to bring good jobs and investment to Ayrshire, to grow the numbers of students and tourists from across the UK as well as around the world, and most of all to see Ayrshire succeed.

£385m AI Investment

I’m delighted to have worked with Martin at AI Pathfinder for the last nine months to help secure their commitment to Irvine and bring this brilliant British AI business to my hometown. An initial investment of £385million will start in 2026 - and AI Pathfinder’s long-term investment has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the construction phase alone. Investment of this scale, putting Irvine and Ayrshire at the front of the UK’s AI ambitions, will boost the local and national economy.

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Business Week

We also celebrated our successful local businesses at the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business Week. There were over 1,200 attendees from local businesses, entrepreneurs and key decision makers. The week had networking events, workshops and exhibitions designed to inspire and connect and educate. Thank you to the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce for hosting. They are offering many more training workshops across the month of October - if you didn’t get a chance to attend, visit their website to find out more.

Local Opportunities

Flutter UKI Relaunches Cash4Clubs Grants Programme

Flutter UKI have launched their Cash4Clubs programme for 2026, with £500,000 available for community sports clubs available across the UK and Ireland. Clubs/charities can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help them succeed, be that to help buy new equipment, hire coaches, run training programmes, etc. To apply https://cash-4-clubs.com/ and fill in the application before the deadline of Monday 8th December. Grants will be awarded early next year.

OSCR Trustees’ Week Events

OSCR are hosting a number of events to help trustees develop their skills and understanding including a Q&A Session, a Social Media Guide, and a ‘Digital Trustees’ guide. To find out more and book a session head to https://www.oscr.org.uk/news/sign-up-for-trustees-week-2025-events-with-oscr/

North Ayrshire Council Participatory Budgeting

North Ayrshire Council have launched the voting stage of their Youth Participatory Budgeting scheme. This is where local people get to decide where allocations of money go. North Ayrshire residents with a Young Scot Card can vote by heading to https://northayrshire.communitychoices.scot/budgets/17/ by Sunday 9th November 2025.

Surgery Bookings

On most Fridays throughout the year, I hold surgeries across the whole constituency to meet residents and listen to how I can support them as their MP. Please email alan.gemmell.mp@parliament.uk if you would like to arrange to meet me at one of them.