THE recent budget proposals from South Ayrshire council revealed that charges could increase for Girvan Harbour.

Plans have not been confirmed yet and public consultation will take place in 2018 to determine what facilities should be closed.
Some operating hours may be changed in 2018 in a bid to save some £17 million.

Proposals include charging more for allotment rental, burials and cremations, casual swimming, commercial waste, football pitches, garden waste, Girvan Harbour, licensing fees, parking, pitches/halls/school lets, planning, roads permits and orders, schools meals and special uplifts.

If this goes ahead the council would save £659,026 in 2018/19 and £352,943 in 2019/2020. 

Some £500,000 has already been invested to enhance the facilities and services available to sailors from across the globe, in a bid to attract tourists to South Carrick and the rest of South Ayrshire.

Funding was previously approved for new pontoons at Girvan Harbour. 

Councillors say facing up to tough choices that are “painful but necessary” and will be the approach taken by to set a balanced budget for 2018/19.

Eileen Howat, Chief Executive, South Ayrshire Council, said: “Budget proposals have been published which will go out to widespread public consultation in the new year.

This is the backdrop to a challenging financial climate as we work to plug the anticipated £17 million funding gap for 2018/19. Following consideration of feedback from our communities the final decisions on service delivery will be for Councillors to decide.”