Community centres and libraries are under threat – with possible mergers, relocations and community asset transfers to be considered.

Library options include potential relocation and co-location of libraries, reviewing opening hours and relying on further volunteer support.

Options for community centres include offloading them via community asset transfers, further co-location of services in centres and using them to encourage community businesses.

The Review of Libraries and Community Centres was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, after it previously agreed to set up a working group with North Ayrshire Federation of Community Organisations (NAFCO) to develop plans ahead of removing any funding after an amendment by SNP councillors at the 2018 budget.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Louise McPhater said: “Residents will be well aware of the financial challenges faced by councils across Scotland – we have to find viable, economic solutions which allow us to continue to deliver the services people want.”

With library provision a statutory responsibility of local authorities, North Ayrshire Council are legally obliged to consult on changes to services.

And NAC says wide-ranging engagement will be carried out in the coming weeks to determine the future of the services.

Meeting papers state they hope to have the actions agreed by November this year.

SNP Cllr Alan Hill, who sits on the working group, said: “If Labour’s proposals had been agreed to last year, they would now be presiding over the wholesale closure of community centres and library facilities.

“Thanks to this SNP initiative we had an opportunity to look in depth at each community and the services and buildings which serve it.”

“We are still some way away from making final proposals however I am satisfied that the savings which will be produced will be less than those proposed by Labour. I am also satisfied that we will have an opportunity on a community by community basis to look at any proposed savings and to amend these to suit local needs.

Tory group leader Tom Marshall said: “There has to be budget savings and alterations to the way the council operates and deliver services. It may be that some services which have grown over the years can no longer be sustained and need to be removed.

“In that case there must be opportunities for communities to step in and offer to partner the council to maintain or restructure services.”