The ten-year programme, which includes £71m of brand new investment, will protect funding for new schools, economic regeneration and North Ayrshire’s core infrastructure.

Around £140m will be set aside to invest in the North Ayrshire School Estate with £47m for the new Largs Campus, £32m for a new academy in Ardrossan and £25m for a new-build Additional Support Needs School.

Following an amendment from Councillor Maguire at the budget meeting, the council has also set aside up to £5m from its current year underspend and additional income from the development of its industrial portfolio to enhance the learning environment at Auchenharvie, Irvine Royal and Kilwinning Academies.

The Capital Investment Programme will also deliver a £36m package to deliver a leisure centre, an adult day care centre and improved street lighting and support to help vulnerable people live independently in their own homes as well as a £28m package to grow North Ayrshire’s economy, including £17m to support regeneration through the Ayrshire Growth Deal and £5m for town centre regeneration

The council is also to consider a housing revenue budget for 2016/17 of £46m and a total capital investment programme of £62m over 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Councillor Ruth Maguire, cabinet member for finance and corporate support, said: “We have had to make some tough choices this year but, despite this, we have still managed to produce a budget which ensures that key services, such as education, remain a priority.

“Indeed, our ambitious Capital Investment Programme has a £140m commitment to our School Estate over the next 10 years which will include the creation of four new schools.”