IN the wake of last week's clash over potential budget cuts, North Ayrshire Conservatives have called for parties to stop bickering and work together.

The ruling SNP group on the council and Labour members had angry clashes during a special meeting to discuss consultation with the public on the cuts last Wednesday.

North Ayrshire Council is now facing an expected budget gap of £16 million.

And the consultation will urge local residents to reveal their priorities for where cuts could be made - and which services should remain untouched.

During the special meeting, the Conservative group brought an amendment to the engagement process which would allow for the setting up of officer/ member working group.

Read more: https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/24644697.north-ayrshire-council-budget-consultation-now-open/

They said this group would allow councillors and officers to working together to come up with budget proposals and find consensus during the budget process. 

Their amendment fell, however, up against a motion from the SNP to note the consultation report.

However a Labour amendment, attacking the SNP group for previous budget decisions was passed with the support of the Conservatives.

Conservative group leader Councillor Cameron Inglis has now urged a united front to tackle the problems.

He said: "A group between councillors and officers would allow for consensus at a time when our constituents want us to come together as political parties and work together to reach a balanced budget.

"This group would allow political groups and independents to work with each other during what is going to be a very hard year of savings for our constituents and not bicker over a few thousand pounds for political gain."