Local communities in North Ayrshire are being asked to get involved in shaping local services that affect them.
In the Council’s latest approach to Participatory Budgeting, residents will be asked for their thoughts on how some Streetscene environmental budgets would be best spent. And the proposals – known as ‘Shaping North Ayrshire’ - are being rolled out in a pilot project that is taking place in the Three Towns. At consultations events, communities will be asked how part of the Grounds Maintenance budget should be allocated across the area. At the sessions, residents will learn about the relevant budget and what it covers. They will weigh up all the options, analyse various scenarios and discuss with Council officials how they think the money should be spend. So whether it’s some planting new flowers at your favourite park, or installing a planter to brighten up a community facility, all opinions will be taken into account. Further consultation will take place in late January 2018 and Officers will take on board the views from participants before determining how the budget will be spent from April 2018. Councillor Louise McPhater, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Our Participatory Budgeting events, involving local community groups, have already proved hugely popular. We’ve seen loads of community groups pitch for a share of money and take away money that has really helped them and their members. “This is another ‘participatory’ approach. It’s about the Council’s budget and how we spend it. We want people to have their say and be involved in the whole democratic process. “So when you see some work being done, you can ultimately say ‘I had a say in that’... You really could have an impact in ‘Shaping North Ayrshire’. ” Decisions for the Three Towns locality will come into effect in April 2018.
Decisions from consultation events in the five remaining localities (Arran, Kilwinning, Irvine, North Coast and Garnock Valley) will roll out in April 2019. The events will take place on: Tuesday 21 November 2017: Harbour Suite, Saltcoats Town Hall, Countess Street, 2pm - 4.30pm Wednesday 22 November 2017: Main Hall, Ardrossan Civic Centre, Glasgow Street, 10am -12.30pm Tuesday 28 November 2017: Stevenston Library, Main Street, 4pm - 7pm
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