NORTH Ayrshire Council is set to invest nearly £250million in capital programmes over the next decade - but 50 jobs are set to go as they look to balance the budget next week. 

And Council Tax looks set to rise by 3 per cent for the second year in a row.

Around £7.35million of savings require to be found in order to balance the £331million revenue budget, which covers the day-to-day running of Council services.

Since 2010/11, North Ayrshire Council has had to make savings of £80m from its revenue budget, due to funding not keeping pace with the rising cost and demand for services.

The proposed savings will be considered by Elected Members at the Budget meeting on Wednesday, February 28.

At the meeting, the Council will also discuss the planned £243m capital investment in North Ayrshire over the next 10 years which will include: 

- A new £8.5million school to replace Moorpark Primary in Kilbirnie

- A £5.7million residential and respite unit to complement the already planned £25million Additional Supports Needs School in Stevenston 

- An increase in the roads budget from £16.8million to £33million

These new educational establishments form part of the Council’s key ambition to make North Ayrshire the best place for children to grow up and underline the Council’s commitment to being a Child-Centred Council by providing high-quality places of learning.

The new schools will be a key part of the enhanced schools estate, which includes the acclaimed Garnock Community Campus, which opened last year, and the new Largs Campus, which will open in March.

The estimated net impact of the financial settlement means that there is likely to be a reduction of approximately 50 whole-time equivalent posts, taking account of the planned expansion of early learning and childcare and the Council’s increased contribution to the Health & Social Care Partnership.

The Council say they will take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of the budget on the workforce including removing vacant posts, exploring opportunities for redeployment and responding to requests for voluntary early redundancy and early retirement.