POTENTIAL cuts to council services and grants have been highlighted and could take effect from March, 31 2016.

The Rural Panel’s grant scheme, which aims to develop new strategies for rural areas, could see £30,000 cut from its budget and will be replaced by a South Ayrshire Rural Forum.

Grants and funding for local businesses and local organisations face cuts of £125,791 as does the community development fund which could see £65,322 cut.

At a Leadership Panel, held on Tuesday, February 16, members of the council discussed various savings options.

Members heard that organisations such as the Big Lottery Fund have been funding local businesses as well as other smaller community organisations.

It was suggested this creates community empowerment for those who have benefited from the programme.

Cllr Robin Reid said: “I am happy to move the report forward as the Rural Panel will now be supported by the LEADER programme which is currently coming on stream.

“The programme is about local community improvement. It takes into account grant decisions and local community decisions.”

Cllr Reid seemed to suggest that these organisations could help finance local businesses in the ‘first instance’ before they turned to the council for extra grants.

South Ayrshire Council have been debating and identifying their options to make these savings.

A report submitted to the Leadership Panel claims: “They have identified opportunities for a more strategic approach to grants so they maximise the impact of the Council’s grant contribution to communities.

“They have looked at opportunities for streamlined grant assessment processes and efficient administration as well as considered improved feedback from grant recipients on outcomes and better tracking of grants.”

Council Leader Bill McIntosh said that progress would be reviewed in six months but councillors will finalise cuts at the budget meeting on Thursday, March 3