NORTH Ayrshire Council has now opened an online public consultation as the local authority prepares for its "most challenging budget ever".

In a change from years gone by, views are being sought at this early stage on potential cuts as the authority seeks to balance the books.

A number of potential areas of savings have been brought to councillors by finance officers - with an expected budget gap of £16 million to be plugged in the next financial year.

A variety of controversial options have been proposed, including many which have been mooted in previous years or voted down in the council chambers on prior occasions.

Among the suggested moves are the removal of dozens of teaching roles, the introduction of town centre car parking charges, the closure of the Arran Outdoor Centre, shutting six local libraries and the planned implementation of an annual garden waste collection fee.

No decisions have been made at this stage, with the budget for 2025/26 set to be finalised early next year.

Ahead of that process, North Ayrshire Council is now seeking feedback from across the community to inform elected members' final decision.

Council leader Marie Burns said: “It’s vital that communities let us know their thoughts on our services and how any changes might impact them.

“We have a legal obligation to set a balanced budget. In achieving this, it means that difficult decisions will likely be necessary.

“We are not alone in this. Councils across the UK are feeling the strain.

“However, it is important to stress that no decisions have yet been taken – this will happen in February of next year when all councillors meet to set the budget for 2025/26.

“In the meantime, we ask residents and communities to share their thoughts before decisions are taken.”

Over the coming weeks, council officers will meet with community groups and stakeholders to gather their views on how any changes might impact them.

In addition, residents and groups are encouraged to take part in online surveys, on a range of areas, which can be found online at north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Budget2025.

Paper copies of these surveys will be available in local libraries and KA Leisure facilities.

Alternatively, residents can call the council’s contact centre on 01294 310000 and the surveys can be filled in over the phone.

The contact centre is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4.45pm and Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

The online survey is open for completion from today (Thursday, October 10) and will run until November 25.