NORTH Ayrshire Council is taking further steps towards reducing its carbon footprint.

A cutting-edge project to improve energy efficiency in a series of council buildings is expected to cut the volume of carbon being emitted every year and save thousands of pounds.

And the scheme will also have financial benefits as gas and electricity costs will also be reduced, making an overall saving.

North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet agreed to accelerate its energy efficiency programme by using a new Scottish Government framework (the Non Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework (NDEEF).

This is one of three ‘pathfinder’ projects in Scotland and will see 14 properties owned by the council undergo works such as lighting improvements, boiler replacement, heating control improvements and draught proofing.

It is expected that the works will produce annual savings of between £80,000 to £100,000 as well as cutting carbon emissions by around 400 tonnes per annum.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “Not only will these improvements see greater energy efficiency introduced to a range of buildings, but they will also stimulate job creation and produce long-term savings to the council.

“We have to lead by example and measures such as these can show the way forward.”

The agreed shortlist features a number of schools including Caledonia, Glebe, West Kilbride and Glencairn primary schools, along with Auchenharvie Academy, Kilwinning Academy and Irvine Royal Academy.

Also included are five community centres – Ardeer, Towerlands, Cranberry Moss, Castlepark and Focus Community Learning Centre – as well as Brodick Hall & Arran Library.