North Ayrshire Council is facing a significant gap in its funding following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The net financial impact of lockdown on the council is currently expected to be £15.475m for the financial year 2020/21.

North Ayrshire Council Leader, Joe Cullinane, said: “COVID-19 has had a major financial impact across the world and councils aren’t immune to that.

“I am proud of the council’s response to the pandemic, whether that be the support we have given families and vulnerable residents to access food, the key worker childcare provision, the continuation of our household waste collection throughout lockdown and indeed to all those carers who have cared for, and kept safe, residents. I will be forever indebted to every member of staff who has helped support citizens through COVID-19.

“The financial reality is that there is a cost attached to that support and the lockdown caused a significant drop in our income.

“Despite receiving some additional funding, we are still facing a major funding gap. So, we will continue to lobby the UK and Scottish Government to deliver the financial support which local government so badly needs.”