North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet has proposed setting aside a £1.496 million fund to deliver improvements in local neighbourhoods.

Prudent financial management meant that there was an underspend in the council’s 2025/26 Budget.

At a meeting of cabinet on 2 June, it was proposed to use part of this underspend to create the Our Places, Our Communities Fund.

It would aim to support projects suggested by communities to improve their local area, ranging from community tidy-ups, maintenance and decorating works through to larger scale regeneration initiatives such as bringing derelict land back into use.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for communities, housing and islands, said: “Our residents care deeply about their communities and want to see investment to improve them. The Our Places, Our Communities Fund represents a real opportunity for people to come forward with an idea which can make a difference to your neighbourhood.”

Details of the potential fund are currently being finalised but residents are encouraged to speak to their local elected members to offer their feedback on the principle of the proposed fund. This will allow members to be informed when the proposals are considered by Full Council later in June.

Council leader Tony Gurney added: “We work hard to provide the best possible value to our residents and ensure we look after every single penny.

“While local authority finances remain incredibly constrained, the underspend in the 2025/26 budget provides an opportunity for us to invest that money in our villages and towns for projects which really matter to our communities.”