Cash-strapped North Ayrshire Council is expected to make far-reaching changes to service provision when the members meet at the end of this month to consider the 2024/25 budget for North Ayrshire.
The council is currently facing a funding shortfall of up to £15.97million for 2024/25 - assuming that a potential five per cent council tax freeze is fully funded - and is warning that some difficult decisions will need to be made.
Prior to elected members meeting on February 28 to consider the budget, North Ayrshire Council carried out a number of community engagement activities to hear about the services they value most.
The council also held an online budget challenge, which allowed residents to set their own virtual budget. The aim was to give residents and communities a chance to tell bosses at the local authority where their priorities might lie if they were the ones making the calls.
It also aimed to increase people’s awareness of the budget process and get an understanding of the difficult choices councillors must make when setting a budget.
According to council officials, the results showed that residents want to safeguard key services such as roads, waste collection, school catering and early learning and additional support needs. It also highlighted that residents were open to the idea of additional charges to raise funds and offset potential cuts.
Councillor Christina Larsen, cabinet member for finance and procurement, said: “Following on from the Covid pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and high inflation, no one has escaped the financial impact, including the council.
“As costs continue to rise alongside a rising demand for our services, it’s clear that our budget comes under increasing pressure.
“There are no easy solutions and tough choices will have to be made.
“That’s why it’s been so important to get the views of our communities and understand their priorities before all elected members meet to set next year’s budget.”
The feedback from the consultations and the online budget challenge will be taken into account when elected members meet at the end of the month.
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