Council Budget Engagement Petitions
North Ayrshire Council · 26 February 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 26 February 2025 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 26 February 2025 Council Title: Council Budget Engagement Petitions Purpose: To advise Council of the outcome of consideration by Cabinet of the following five petitions relating to possible Council Budget Options: Petition 1 - Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts Petition 2 - Possible parking charge enforcement in Kilwinning Petition 3 - Possible closure of Dreghorn Library Petition 4 - Proposed closure of Beith Library Petition 5 - Proposal to cut the Eglinton Park rangers service and closure of the community garden Recommendation: Council is recommended to consider the representations from the petitioners as part of the Council’s budget setting process for the coming year. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 At its meeting on 18 February 2025, Cabinet considered five reports by the Head of Service (Democratic) on petitions that had been received relating to possible Council Budget options following the budget consultation process. The petitions are detailed below: Petition 1 - Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts Petition 2 - Possible parking charge enforcement in Kilwinning Petition 3 - Possible closure of Dreghorn Library Petition 4 - Proposed closure of Beith Library Petition 5 - Proposal to cut the Eglinton Park rangers service and closure of the community garden Cabinet agreed to refer the representations of the petitioners to Council for consideration as part of the budget setting process.
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1.2 The Petitions were previously heard at the Audit and Scrutiny Committee and it was agreed that the terms of the petitions be accepted and recommendations made to Cabinet that the petitions be considered as part of the Council’s budget engagement and budget setting process for the coming year. 2. Background 2.1 Petition 1 - Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts The terms of the petition is outlined below: “Our libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are vital community hubs where learning and imagination flourish. For our children, they serve as safe havens to explore their curiosity, develop their literacy skills and grow their confidence. The amazing staff at Ardrossan and Saltcoats libraries—Anne, Jean, Richard, and Yvette—provide invaluable support and resources to everyone in the community. With the proposed cuts opening hours will now be cut by 50% and the staffing will be dropped from 4 amazing people to 2 who will be spread across both libraries. The libraries offer a multitude of classes/groups including but not limited to Bookbug, Football memories, Crafting Group, Book group, ESOL group, hearing aid clinic, school visits and many more. As well as organised groups the library is also a community safe space where you can visit with no obligation to spend a penny. It is a place to meet, chat, explore and learn. Reducing hours and making cuts would be a devastating blow to these essential services and result in 2 dedicated staff members losing their jobs. Let's ensure that our libraries remain open and fully operational for future generations. Sign this petition to protect our community's lifeline!” The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The library facilities were a valuable and vital community resource and, in particular, allowed parents, and others, to meet up and form friendships (while promoting wellbeing and a sense of community) and also participate in programmes and activities which were considered essential particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. The proposed closure of Saltcoats Library and the reduction of hours in Ardrossan Library would adversely impact on this; • Combatting adult loneliness and isolation through the promotion of positive mental health, achievement and sense of community; • The central location of Saltcoats Library, allowing ease of access to the local community and the possible reduction in footfall for local traders if any closure went ahead; • The benefits of encouraging digital and computer use, in the local community and promoting equality of access; and • The vitality of the libraries, in positively stimulating the minds of service users, and their significant contribution and great use by the local community, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if these proposals were to go ahead.
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2.2 Petition 2 - Possible parking charge enforcement in Kilwinning The terms of the petition is outlined below: “Please find enclosed a petition on behalf of Dino and Sons, supported by our customers, expressing unanimous opposition to the potential introduction of parking charges in North Ayrshire. This petition represents not only the concerns of our business but also those of the wider community, who stand firmly against any new financial burdens placed on local residents and workers. As you are aware, the cost of living crisis continues to escalate at an alarming rate, with no relief in sight for your constituents. Unfortunately, this marks the second time in as many years that Kilwinning’s Main Street has faced the threat of parking charges, which would impose yet another financial strain on families already struggling to make ends meet. These charges would affect workers trying to support their families, local households, and even those seeking essential healthcare. We understand that North Ayrshire Council has received over 4,400 responses to your recent budget engagement exercise. Rather than organizing a collective petition with local businesses and residents, we decided to take a different approach. From our shop on Kilwinning Main Street, Dino and Sons, we have gathered over 1,000 signatures from our loyal customers who strongly oppose these proposed charges. In addition, an online survey conducted via our Facebook page has yielded over 800 additional objections. We urge the Council to take these voices into account and reconsider the introduction of parking charges. Over 1,100 written submissions from our customers, along with over 800 online signatures from the broader public, clearly show that these charges are not acceptable. The question is not only whether it is fair to impose such fees but whether it is justifiable to ask constituents to pay for the basic necessities of life – such as food, healthcare, and the right to park at their homes. We sincerely hope that the Council will take heed of these concerns and protect the livelihoods of those already facing significant economic challenges. A few quotes from our invaluable customers on the subject of Parking Charges in Kilwinning’s Main Street: 1. If I just want broccoli, instead of costing 69p, that would have cost me more than double just to park my car, doesn’t this council care about the cost of living crisis? 2. Picking on the easy targets, why don’t they charge retail parks instead? 3. Myself and friends often enjoy wee day trips to Kilwinning from Neilston, visiting shops and stay for lunch. It’s one of the last streets anywhere that has independent family bakers, fruit and veg, butchers and even has clothes shops, gift shops, your council should be helping it all it can instead of the constant parking charge threats. 4. I come here from Kilmarnock, our council destroyed the high street, now there’s no food shops left. Can’t believe your council is willing to sacrifice a great wee town due to taxing shopkeepers and its customers.
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5. I depend on Dino’s delivering my shopping every Saturday – it’s a disgrace the council’s threatening the only way I can get what I want and not at the unaffordable quantities supermarkets want me to buy. 6. Feels like they are trying to turn my street into a ghost town. 7. Council’s booking everyone generating cash, enough is enough trying to kill off the street, parking charges=death sentence for this street. The principal spokesperson outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • Imposition of parking charges on shoppers, workers and traders of Kilwinning’s main street and the adverse effects this would have in term of footfall in the local area; • Extremely difficult trading conditions, given the current cost-of-living crisis, and the struggle for local businesses to remain open; • Transfer of the land at the Oxenward car park through a Compulsory Purchase Order to the former Cunninghame District Council (which was supported by the shop owners and residents) on the condition that the land would be used to support the growth of Kilwinning and therefore the importance of honouring that commitment and protecting the community from additional financial burdens; • That, in light of the above, Kilwinning main street should be freed from the unnecessary strain of any proposed car parking charges; • The adverse effect on the local community of the parking charges, and the financial strain on families trying to make ends meet; and • The potential reduction in footfall in Kilwinning main street, if the imposition of parking charges was to go ahead, regardless of the amount “not just £2”, which could exacerbate difficult trading conditions which have already resulted in recent business closures on the Main Street. 2.3 Petition 3 - Possible closure of Dreghorn Library The terms of the petition is outlined below: “As long time customers of Dreghorn Library, we are deeply saddened by the proposed closure. This institution has been a cornerstone of our community, providing a wide array of educational resources, enhancing literacy and fostering a deep sense of community. Not only will the closure of our local library be a devastating loss to our educational landscape, but it will also leave many without access to critical services, such as Internet and printing access. Libraries are a vital part of communities providing a safe space for people to learn, explore and connect with others. Preserving our local library, is more than just books; it’s about preserving our community and its assets. Please join us in saving our library. Sign our petition today.” The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The library was considered to be an essential hub of the community and was a warm and welcoming place for friends, families, groups and individuals;
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• The regular events that were hosted, within the library, and the considerable benefits to the local community in terms of being able to access them including book bug, story time and promotion of children’s reading; • The ongoing cost-of-living pressures, affecting members of the community, and the benefits in being able to access free digital and computer facilities, particularly for the unemployed and potential loss of these benefits if the library was to close; • Combatting adult loneliness and isolation by bringing people together, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable, while assisting in promoting a sense of community; • The central location of Dreghorn Library, allowing ease of access to the local community of Dreghorn, as well as those in Bourtreehill and Springside; and • The social interaction and mental health benefits and their contribution and significant use by the local community, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if these proposals were to go ahead. 2.4 Petition 4 - Proposed closure of Beith Library The terms of the petition is outlined below: “Please find enclosed the following signatures from the people of Beith who are very concerned at the closure of Beith Library. The people of Beith rely on the various services the library provides for them for all ages in the community. Please can we ask you to pass on this petition to the relevant parties before the February budget meeting. Please do not close this library as it has been at the heart of the community for many years and our town cannot have the eyesore of another empty building.” The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The library offered a safe and easily accessible hub, for all ages, as well as encouraging and fostering community spirit and friendship; • Combatting adult loneliness and social isolation, especially in the elderly population by bringing the community together through the many social and group activities available within the library, particularly given difficulties of older citizens and those with disabilities in accessing public transport; • The loss of educational facilities if the proposal was to go ahead as it was extensively used by Beith Primary and Nursery children due to its close location and ease of getting there; • The central location of the library, allowing ease of access to the local community and if the closure went ahead, another empty building in the town, the possible reduction in footfall for local traders and the difficulty for residents to access facilities in other locations due to the lack of public transport in the Garnock Valley; • The benefits of encouraging digital and computer use, in the local community particularly those affected by cost-of-living pressures including those using the library facilities for seeking employment opportunities; and
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• The value of the libraries, in bringing people together through the many group activities on offer, and the potential loss of all these benefits, if this proposal was to proceed. 2.5 Petition 5 - Proposal to cut the Eglinton Park Rangers Service and closure of the community garden The terms of the petition is outlined below: “North Ayrshire Council are proposing to CUT the park ranger service from Eglinton Country Park as part of their annual budget review. Removing the rangers service will result in Eglinton losing it's 'Country Park' status and instead it will become open land that the council is not required to maintain as much. It will also bring an end to education visits, several volunteer programmes, irreplaceable knowledge about the park and many more key attributes that the service currently delivers. The community garden which has prospered over the last 4 years under the stewardship of the rangers service and many dedicated volunteers will be closed and left abandoned. The council will meet in February 2025 to decide on the fate of the park - help us lobby the council to keep Eglinton Country Park a place for all to enjoy and keep the only country park in North Ayrshire!” The principal spokespersons outlined their objections to the proposal and highlighted the following points:- • The benefits in keeping the rangers service at Eglinton Park and all the associated initiatives; • The strength of feeling as shown in the growth of signatures on the online petition which has been shared widely on social media, as well as featuring in local newspapers and radio; • The value of volunteers including the hours contributed and potential loss of volunteering opportunities in and around the park; • The removal of the park ranger service would likely result in the loss of the Eglinton Path Stewards, a dedicated group of volunteers who maintain some of the park’s gardens and pathways; • The loss of skills and specialist knowledge in relation to countryside management and biodiversity; • The loss of social value for a relatively small financial saving; • The potential, though disputed, ‘loss of country park status’; • The loss of the community garden; and • The Council’s duties in terms of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the feeling that the proposal is at odds with the North Ayrshire local biodiversity action plan. 2.6 The Cabinet agreed to refer the 5 petitions to Council with the recommendation that the petitions are considered as part of the Council’s budget setting process for the coming year.
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3. Proposals 3.1 That Council considers the representations from the petitioners as part of the Council’s budget setting process for the coming year. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None arising from this report. Human Resources 4.2 None arising from this report. Legal 4.3 None arising from this report. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 None arising from this report. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None arising from this report. Key Priorities 4.6 None arising from this report. Community Wealth Building 4.7 None arising from this report. 5. Consultation 5.1 This report follows as a result of the budget engagement process with communities. Aileen Craig Head of Service (Democratic) For further information please contact Hayley Young, Senior Committee Services Officer, on 01294 324136. Background Papers 0