AS council leader Joe Cullinane surveys the scene at Ardrossan South Beach, Arran is in clear view and the sea is calm with water gently lapping onto the rocks.

The North Ayrshire Labour chief could face some choppy waters with an expected bun fight with the SNP on election day on May 5 and a mighty tussle for power expected.

But for now he is firmly focused on his vision of further improvements to the community.

And his message is: why change horses as progress is being made?

The council leader aims to build on the work carried out since Labour took control as a minority administration five years ago.

He believes that the establishment of Community Development Trusts has helped empower communities to change their areas for the better.

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“Ardrossan Community Development Trust is an example of how we empower communities to do things themselves,” he said.

“They secured £50,000 from the Community Investment Fund that we created to replace the toilet block at South Beach and add facilities. They have a staff member and now secured another £1 million in funding.

“They will transform the toilet block into a beach pavilion with deck chair hire, staff and wider plans for the wider promenade. They’re also looking at new play facilities for the weans.

“At Winton Circus in Saltcoats, a community group who campaigned for new play facilities have secured £154,000 through the council Community Investment Fund and money from the regeneration team has enabled them to do something.

“In Stevenston a community group have secured £230,000 to create a new pavilion as there are no facilities there.”

“The demonstration of what we have done in the last five years shows we want to do more in the next five,” added Joe.

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The Community Investment Fund, which has just been doubled to £6 million for new projects, has also helped create a £60,000 hub at Kilwinning Sports Club, home of Kilwinning Rangers.

“The money is funding the McGavin Park outdoor gym in Kilwinning, the Millport Town Hall restoration, the karate group at Saltcoats train station. They were given  £50,000 from the Community Investment Fund.

“No other council in the whole of the country is doing stuff like that,” he said.

The leader is proud of their record on renewable energy, with three solar farms and three wind turbines going ahead.

He said: “Let’s use the income generated from those to tackle fuel poverty.”

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Housing developments at Harbourside, Dickson Drive, Dalrymple Gardens, Cheviot Gardens and Towerlands are another big part of the administration’s work.

But Joe, who famously called for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to go in Kilwinning Main Street as a toddler, is not standing still.

He said: “If people read our manifesto they will see the next steps will be transformative.

“Our policies are bold and innovative. Look at what we’ve done over the last five years and keep it under Labour control.”

Joe’s daughter Rosie turns seven two days after the election.

And he will be hoping to make it a double celebration by retaining power.