Recovering from Covid and the cost of living crisis is to be at the heart of North Ayrshire's annual budget.
The council will meet on Wednesday as councillors look set to ratify the 2022/23 budget worth around £381 million.
Council tax could rise by three per cent — below the current rate of inflation.
In a budget briefing this morning, council representatives spoke about how the money raised from council tax will be crucial in helping to bridge the funding gap of £4.5million for 2022/23.
It is estimated that any increase lower than three per cent would have a 'significant knock-on effect' for services in the years to come. For example, no increase in 2022/23 would require a 6.75 per cent increase in 2023/24 to recover the lost income from 2022/23 and would still leave a funding gap of £10.729m.
It was revealed that over the past 12 years, North Ayrshire Council has had to cut more than £118m from its budget and the money raised from council tax is key to delivering a balanced budget and maintaining frontline services.
In addition to setting the revenue budget, elected members will also consider the capital budget which supports investment in buildings, infrastructure and regeneration projects.
The capital budget — which will deliver a total programme worth £410m over the next decade — is said to play a key role in North Ayrshire’s economic recovery from Covid-19.
It is proposed to invest an extra £1million into improving roads over the next 12 months, meaning roads expenditure in 2022/23 will rise to £4.8million. The extra money will bring the total planned investment in roads planned to 2030/31 to £35.7million.
The capital programme also includes the Ayrshire Growth Deal, the Ardrossan Community Campus development, further investment into the learning estate at Moorpark Primary and Montgomerie Park, major flood prevention schemes and continuing to progress our sustainability agenda through major solar developments in Nethermains and Shewalton as well as further investment to help transition the council's fleet to lower-carbon alternatives.
Elected members are expected to reinforce the council’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions at budget talks.
It is proposed to invest additional resources in the Council’s Investment Fund to support projects such as:
An i3 solar and wind technology business case development to maximise the renewable energy potential at this strategic site.
Expansion of EV Charging infrastructure across new locations and aligned to the Council’s EV charging strategy 2021-25
Deliver a Battery storage pilot to test current available technology and to learn key lessons to benefit future renewable developments, and
Progress a range of energy efficiency improvements across the non-domestic estate including solar PV and LED lighting.
Councillors will also discuss proposals to set up a community-based energy support scheme to help those faced with the cost-of-living crisis.
Although the scheme is in the early stages of development, the council is proposing to invest over £1.7million to work with a specialist partner to provide vital support to help residents cope with the current cost-of-living crisis by accessing grants and receiving money-saving energy advice.
In addition, for the second year in a row, it is proposed to freeze council fees and charges at the 2021/22 rate.
As part of the budget preparations, council officers consulted with communities through online meetings and Facebook and the priorities from these sessions have helped inform the budget process.
North Ayrshire Council will meet at 2pm on Wednesday, March 2, to consider the 2022/23 Budget and this meeting is available to view live online at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/
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