East Ayrshire’s financial chief has warned that the council will need to change the way it operates in the future amid a gloomy financial outlook in the years to come.

Joe McLachlan, EAC’s chief financial officer, said that the budget process for 2024/25 ‘feels different’ having previously been able to balance the books without biting into the council’s cash reserves.

Council bosses said the budget setting process this year was particularly challenging given the issues in the wider economy and grant funding pressures.

READ MORE: East Ayrshire Council agrees to council tax freeze

The situation was exacerbated by the Scottish Government’s reduction of the grant funding to the authority as a result of the a drop in population recorded in the 2022 census.

Mr McLachlan said that the short period of time available to meet the additional funding shortfall was ‘far from easy’ and admitted that the recommendations would impact on key services that are already under ‘substantial strain’ and create significant additional pressure.

READ MORE: Cut in school fund mooted as more details revealed of budget plans

He continued: “It’s also the beginning of a trend that will see our grant funding level reduce and be allocated to other councils because of their rising population.

“We need to prepare the council for a different funding landscape and ready our services to operate differently.”