CHARGES for school hall hires have been abolished after last week’s budget meeting.

North Ayrshire Council last week passed an amendment which will end schools having to pay the council to rent their own facilities.

The issue was brought to light last year after it was revealed Kilwinning Academy were charged almost £1,000 to put on its own school show.

Last week, councillors approved an amendment put forward by Councillor Joe Cullinane to remove the charges which would be paid for by cutting £16,500 from the catering budget for councillors and NAC officers.

The motion read: “That the council approve the proposals set out in the report, subject to the amendment proposed at the special meeting of the cabinet and to a further amendment to fund a change in the school lets policy to offer free lets for school events organised by the school, the £16,500 cost of which to be found from reductions to council catering provided to members, officers and at events.”

Speaking at the full council meeting last Wednesday, Councillor Cullinane said: “In everything I’ve done I’ve never tried to make it a party political issue because I know with discussions I’ve had these charges have been in place for some time.

“I was unaware of them until I spoke to someone in my constituency and was advised Kilwinning Academy had paid over £900 for their school show.

“What I’ve done since then is to put forward my own view that the charges are unfair and we should abolish them by cutting around £160,000 of members catering.”

But SNP Councillors Anthea Dickson and Tony Gurney questioned the fairness of the amendment.

They argued that some schools received more funding than others which could impact on a loss of income if the charges were to be abolished.

Council Leader Willie Gibson added: “I can see where this is coming from and there’s a genuine desire to do the right thing.

“Is it feasible we ask the education director to write to schools to hold all events say between 4.30pm and 6.30pm or a parents night between 5pm and 7pm? That could slash the bill by 50 per cent.”

A further amendment was lodged by independent Councillor Robert Barr, seconded by Councillor Elizabeth McLardy, aiming to change the phrase “school events organised by the school” within the motion to “education purposes”.

Only four councillors supported the amendment.

Following the meeting, Councillor Cullinane said: “This policy was unfair and took money from children’s education.

“I am pleased that, by cutting the lunches that the council provides to councillors and officers, we have been able to abolish these unfair charges.

“Schools will now be able to provide their pupils with the extra curricular activities that aid their development without having to take money out their own budgets to hire their own school.”