A FAMED North Ayrshire school trip venue could be closed as North Ayrshire Council chiefs look for ways to cut costs.

The Arran Outdoor Education Centre faces the axe as executives prepare budget plans for 2023/24.

A council insider claimed that as well as selling the assest, the closure would lead to ten people losing their jobs.

A leaked part of the proposed budget plans showed that the closure and sale of the centre would lead to a saving of £387,240.

Though many may feel this saving pales in comparison to what the facility has offered children in North Ayrshire.

The staple school trip venue has provided children from primary and secondary schools across the county with plenty of enjoyment over the years - and gave them memories to hold for a lifetime.

In addition, as recently as 2018, the council approved plans to invest £500,000 in the popular centre. This plan was to continue to replace the centre's equipment to ensure they could provide a top class service.

The total projected annual replacement cost over a five-year cycle was £100,000 per year. This last budget year would be the last of this five-year cycle.

When approached on the situation, the council confirmed that the closure was on the table - but nothing had been decided as of yet.

They also added that difficult decisions will have to be made, with the council currently anticipating a funding gap of £14.5m which they must look to close in 2023/24.

No decision will be finalised until the council meets to consider the 2023/24 budget on March 1 of 2023.

Irvine Times: Proposed budget plans could see North Ayrshire Council sell the asset - and ten people lose their jobs.Proposed budget plans could see North Ayrshire Council sell the asset - and ten people lose their jobs. (Image: Arran Outdoor Education Centre)

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “It’s important to stress that no decisions have yet been taken on budget savings for next year.

“We will shortly be undertaking consultation across North Ayrshire which will inform us of our residents’ priorities ahead of the Budget being set.

“However, across Scotland and the United Kingdom, everyone is feeling pressure from the cost-of-living crisis and the council is not immune from that.

“Over the past 12 years, we have had to find savings of more than £129 million while ensuring we protected frontline services and jobs.

“And there’s no doubt that difficult financial choices continue to lie ahead for all of us. For the financial year 2023/24, we currently anticipate a funding gap of £14.5million, while our financial outlook also indicates the council has an anticipated budget gap of £35m over the next three years.

“Rising inflation and energy costs have created additional pressures on our already challenging financial position.

“Unfortunately, that means that a wide range of difficult options are likely to be considered in order for us to deliver a balanced budget.

“However, no decisions will be taken on how to achieve these savings until Full Council meets to consider the 2023/24 Budget on March 1, 2023.”