Councillors clashed over whether an £83,000 a year ‘digital officer’ should be appointed as part of the new budget in North Ayrshire.
Council tax has been frozen from April as part of the £365 million revenue budget approved last week at a full council meeting.
Labour and SNP councillors decided £250,000 should go towards hiring a digital renewal officer for three years. They will also invest £350,000 on outdoor and residential learning as part of a covid intervention fund.
But Independent and Conservative politicians wanted the money spent elsewhere.
Councillor Christina Larsen said the new recruit for the digital role would work with officers and ensure a “joined up ambitious strategic approach is being progressed.”
The SNP councillor said: “This pandemic has accelerated what is an increasingly digital world and North Ayrshire can be a leader in this with the right strategy and support for our people communities and businesses.”
Both investments were not in the proposed budget from ruling Labour initially. But the Labour group came to an agreement with the SNP. That led to Labour council leader Joe Cullinane submitting a motion seconded by SNP councillor Larsen at the council meeting on Thursday.
But rival politicians had different ideas.
Conservative councillor Timothy Billings wanted to increase funding to the health and social care partnership by 0.8 per cent, which equates to £785,000 instead.
He called for £285,000 of that amount to go towards community mental health services in response to the crisis fuelled by lockdown.
Conservative group leader Councillor Tom Marshall who seconded the amendment said: “We asked ourselves, 'What is more important? A digital officer at quarter of a million pounds or extra support for the mental health of the people of North Ayrshire?”
"We believe that at this time of crisis, care of the vulnerable is far more important.”
He said: “The number of children waiting for mental health support in Scotland has tripled during the pandemic. "
He added: “Fears are growing about the toll the crisis and prolonged school closures have taken on young people.”
| North Ayrshire revenue budget 2021 to 2022 | £365m |
| Council tax change | 0 |
| Fund to help families pay for school day | £500,000 |
| Council investment fund for renewable energy scheme | £1.4m |
| Cuts | £490,000 |
Independent politician Ian Murdoch moved an amendment that £1m should be spent on improving the condition of roads – describing it as a “massive problem.”
The motion was seconded by Independent councillor Donald L Reid.
The amendments from the Conservatives and Independents were defeated.
The approved budget also includes a £500,000 pot of money to help struggling families pay for school day costs and another £1.4m for a renewable energy scheme.
Councillor Cullinane said: “It is a budget that will deliver positive change for the people of North Ayrshire despite the challenges of COVID-19.”
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