Have your say on budget priorities

Residents on Arran are being urged to make their voice heard when it comes to setting priorities for next year’s council budget.

North Ayrshire Council wants as many residents as possible to have their say as the financial picture for 2019/20 starts to become clearer.

For the second year in succession, residents can go online to take part in the budget engagement.

By visiting www. north-ayrshire.gov.uk/ whatmatters, residents can take a short survey letting the council know where it should focus its priorities for the year ahead.

For those without internet access, printed copies are being made available at libraries.

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: ‘As a result of austerity, the council has already faced tens of millions of pounds of cuts from jobs and services in recent years, and there is no end of austerity in sight.

‘That means it becomes even harder each year to balance a budget that doesn’t damage local services or loses more jobs. Unless the situation changes, there is no escaping the fact that the way the council delivers its services will have to change.

‘That’s why the views of our communities in setting out where the council’s priorities should be for the years ahead is vitally important. We want as many people as possible to let us know matters to them.’

The online survey will be available 24 hours a day until January 31, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. The results of the survey will be used to inform the council as it sets out its budget proposals early next year.

The online survey can also be printed out and submitted to Arran Library or any North Ayrshire library.