A budget for wellbeing, recovery and renewal as Council launches budget conversation

This week East Ayrshire Council launches an online conversation as part of its annual budget setting arrangements.

Following the Scottish Government’s funding announcement on Thursday 28 January, plans for the Council’s 2021/22 budget are currently being finalised.  With a continued focus on recovery and renewal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, plans include investment to help drive economic recovery, bolster public services and support families and communities. 

The Council’s budget plan for the year ahead sets out its spending commitments and ambitions for the future, reaffirming investment in key services that support local communities and put people and communities at the heart of East Ayrshire’s recovery and renewal plans.

Throughout the pandemic, the Council has focused on supporting the immediate needs of local communities and making sure that the most vulnerable were looked after. New ways of working have been developed across the organisation as part of the Transformation Strategy, putting boundaries aside and people and communities first.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on local communities -  it has changed the way we live; it has changed the way we work and it has changed the way we do business - and the Council is keen to ensure that future spending and investment priorities reflect the voice of communities as part of East Ayrshire’s recovery and renewal.

Elected members across all parties have unanimously agreed that the budget for the forthcoming year should focus on recovery and renewal, with a particular focus on Wellbeing, Economy & Environment and Children and Young People.

Throughout the pandemic, these three themes have consistently emerged as priorities and will be reflected in the 2021/22 budget proposals. 

Community power is key to recovery and renewal and this year’s Vibrant Voices budget conversations will give individuals, businesses and communities an opportunity to feed into the 2021/22 budget planning process.

Participants are invited to have their say in the following topics:

• Children and Young People - how can we support the wellbeing of children and young people to ensure they have healthy, happy lives?
• Economy and Environment - how can we support a community-based, green recovery and what more can we do to tackle climate change and protect the environment?
• Wellbeing - how can we strengthen our work to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities?

You may respond to the online survey or email vibrant.voices@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

The 2021/22 Vibrant Voices budget consultation will commence on Monday 8 February and will run online until Sunday 21 February 2021.  Finalised proposals for the 2021/22 budget will be presented to Elected Members for approval in early March 2021.