North Ayrshire Council invests in local jobs, young people and protecting the vulnerable

North Ayrshire Council is to invest millions of pounds tackling unemployment, protecting vulnerable people and investing in the area's young people.
The Council is able to make this investment thanks to good housekeeping and prudent financial management over the last few years.
Around £4m will be invested in the Council's core priorities, including:

• Early intervention and Prevention, including parenting programmes, child protection, family centres and tackling domestic violence - £920,000
• Investment in a range of schemes to stimulate economic activity and job opportunities across North Ayrshire – over £1m
• Increased allocation to the capital investment programme – around £800,000
• Mentoring vulnerable children, supporting educational attainment and developing excellence among young people – almost £300,000
• Increasing Council living wage to £7.20 per hour
• Increasing level of funding to the Older People Change Fund

Speaking after the Council approved its budget for 2012/13 today, Leader of the Council David O'Neill, said: "By approving this budget today, we are investing in the most pressing areas of need in North Ayrshire.
 
"We will make this investment despite facing a funding shortfall of £23.3m over the next three years and a poor grant settlement compared with some wealthier authorities.
 
"Our staff have worked incredibly hard and have responded positively to the challenges of the last few years and this has allowed us to invest in the Council's priority areas of job creation, early intervention and prevention.
 
"It is clear that next few years will continue to be challenging. However, I am confident that we can continue to show the right attitude while providing quality frontline services to the people of North Ayrshire."
 
The Council agreed a total spend of over £450 million for the forthcoming financial year (2012/13).
 
Agreed efficiency options totalling £4.9m in 2012/13 include improved contracts and tenders; the personalisation of care for people with disabilities, and a redesign of Council services.
 
Elected Members also approved indicative options of £7.1m for 2013/14 and £2.37m for 2014/15
 
They also approved a Capital programme for the next four years. A total of £126m is available to fund a wide range of capital projects between 2012 and 2016. Projects approved include:

• Additional investment in the school estate, including Irvine East Primary School and Garnock Campus – approximately £43m
• Investment in core infrastructure, including roads, lighting, vehicles and waste – approximately £16m
• Resources for first phase of Upper Garnock Flood Prevention Strategy - £2m

The Council also agreed a lower rent increase than had been anticipated and potentially increasing investment in Council Housing stock. In 2012/13 rents will increase by 2.25% rather than the anticipated 5.5%. Additional resources will also be made towards achieving and exceeding the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
Further investment in the Council's housing in 2012/13 includes:

• Improvements to existing housing, including a minimum of 1,290 window replacements, 850 new kitchens and 720 new bathrooms - £26m