Have your say on the Council's 2024/25 Budget
Posted on 28 Nov 2023
Time is running out for North Ayrshire residents to have their say on how the Council spends its Budget.
This year, North Ayrshire Council is giving every resident the chance to set their own ‘virtual budget’.
By taking the Budget Challenge, you can decide how you would allocate money across the Council, raising or reducing budgets for each Council service and seeing the consequences of their decisions in real time.
As many people as possible are encouraged to take part at https://budgetchallenge.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/
North Ayrshire Council is currently facing a funding shortfall of up to £16.8million for 2024/25. This is assuming that a potential Council Tax freeze is fully funded and is on top of making savings of more than £118million over the previous 12 years.
Each year, the process of balancing the budget gets ever more difficult, meaning tough choices undoubtedly have to be made.
Councillor Christina Larsen, Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement, said: “It’s vital that we continue to protect our services as much as we can and that’s why it’s important to know our residents’ priorities.
“The online Budget Challenge will allow our residents to set their own virtual Council budget, increasing or decreasing money available for the different services we provide.
“In turn, this allows people to see the consequences of their decisions by describing what the impact of reducing or increasing a specific budget will be.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to take part as the results will help inform elected members when we consider the 2024/25 budget early next year.”
The Budget Challenge is open until December 15. Those without digital access can still take part - either head to your local library or call the Council’s Customer Services team on 01294 310000.