People in Skelmorlie and Millport are being invited to join in the conversation on the future of libraries, halls and community centres.

Wide-ranging consultation is underway across North Ayrshire to determine how the services can best be delivered in years to come.

With council budgets coming under sustained pressure, the council wants to work alongside communities in shaping the future services.

To help make that happen, a working group was set up last year to develop proposals for more effective ways of ensuring people continue to access community facilities in challenging economic circumstances.

Made up of elected members from all political groups on North Ayrshire Council, alongside members of the North Ayrshire Federation of Community Organisations and Council Officers, the working group identified a range of themes which will now form the basis for engagement with communities.

This will look at how best to deliver services such as libraries, halls and community centres in ways which meets the needs of the community.

Engagement sessions have already been held in Largs, Fairlie and West Kilbride and a further session will be held at Skelmorlie Primary School on Tuesday, 14 May, from 6.30pm-8pm.

There will also be a drop-in session in Millport Library on 14 May. The community are welcome to pop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm.

Residents unable to attend can still make their voices heard through online consultation.

Visit www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/your-community to share your opinion on the future roles of libraries, halls and centres

Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Louise McPhater said: “Residents will be well aware of the financial challenges faced by Councils across Scotland - we have to find viable, economic solutions which allow us to continue to deliver the services people want.

“We are proud of the relationship with our communities and that’s why we want them to play a key role in helping to shape the future of our libraries, halls and community centres.

“The purpose is to enable us and our partners to gather the views of our communities and capture the aspirations and opinions of the local community on their facilities, including community centres, libraries, halls and any other buildings and venues where activities and events happen.”