Tory opposition members at North Ayrshire Council have defended their decision to vote through the budget - warning Labour alternatives would have been hugely costly.
The Conservatives, whose 10 members form the opposition, agreed to support the plans proposed by the administration.
Leader Tom Marshall said: “We could not support the Labour proposals which would mean council tax being spent on energy generation, community wealth building and other projects with which we did not agree and would have greatly increased the deficit for the following year, and perhaps contribute to a 20 per cent council tax increase.
"Although we have political differences with the SNP, it is important for the electorate for us to work together to agree a sensible budget moving forward.
“We agreed that the council approves the recommendations set out in the report subject to the amendments."
Amendments included investment of up to £1 million from underspend in North Ayrshire's roads infrastructure with any balance to provide additional emergency support to people through the council's Energy Smart scheme.
Other measures are increasing parking charge notices to a maximum level of £150,000; keeping Christmas lights at a cost of £35,000; retaining free food waste liners (£22,500) and a balance of £92,500 contributing towards the underspend position.
Councillor Marshall added: “This means more money for pothole repairs, an increase in PCN charges to £100 to control indiscriminate parking, support for Christmas lights, continuation of waste food liners and a contribution to the underspend fund.
"And a decision to cap the increase in council tax to five per cent.”
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