Community associations could be forced to pay utility bills as part of almost £530,000 of cuts debated by councillors. 

There will also be a significant reduction to community safety and literacy programmes run by the council, if proposals are agreed next month. 

The council’s services and performance panel was asked to consider the recommendations from officers, in the knowledge that there are likely to be far more painful decisions to make in the coming weeks. 

Proposals would see community associations passed approximately £78,000 of utility bills which are currently paid for by the council. 

However, the report to councillors stated that ‘significant impacts from this saving are not anticipated’.

It also states that there would be an impact from other recommendations, including the reduction of funds to community safety - which will be left with £10,000 of its existing £25,000 ‘diversionary’ budget. A further £22,000 is to be cut by ‘trimming’ small budget lines. 

Cuts to the council’s financial support external partners to improve literacy in the area have also been mooted. The reduction by £37,000 could be ‘partially mitigated’ by council staff providing direct support. 

However, the report adds that the council has ‘no obligation’ to provide or fund the service. 

South Ayrshire Council are due to discuss the proposals at a Leadership Panel next month.

They will also look at and determine the potential outcomes for each savings option.

A report from the Head of Communities to the Service and Performance Panel was submitted on Tuesday, January 26 and outlines the various proposals.

It stated that: “Savings proposals and options are set out totalling £529k. Most of these can be taken without significant impact on front line service delivery.

“It is to be noted that this review has been concerned with delivering savings that reflect previous budget decisions. It is anticipated that further savings will be required as part of the prevailing budget situation in the Council.”

The Communities Service Review has identified options for savings totalling £529,000.

It has been recommended that £45,000 could be saved from capacity building in rural areas, £20,000 could be removed from North Ayr support as well as a £50,000 reduction in CP general budgets.

Barrhill Community Hall could lose £14,000 and £30,000 of funding could be taken away from Tarbolton Community Centre.

The report continued: “ Most of these [cuts] can be taken without significant impact on service delivery... 

“It is anticipated that further savings will be required from the Communities Service in responding to the changed budget situation within the council.”

Nothing has been confirmed yet. Councillors and panel members will have the chance to meet next month to discuss their options.