Clackmannanshire Council Online

Council freezes council tax for fourth year

Council tax has again been frozen in Clackmannanshire, with the Council delivering a balanced revenue budget at its special meeting today.

Efficiencies totalling £8 million have allowed investment in front line services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

The efficiencies have been realised through a combination of a budget review and challenge process and planned management actions as well as a number of changes to services to allow funding to be focussed where it is needed most.

Council leader Sam Ovens said: "The process of developing Council budgets across Scotland this year has been characterised by a level of unprecedented challenge. All of us are aware of the financial constraints within which Councils are operating and the challenge this presents in the face of increasing demand for the services we provide as well as the level of expectation we continue to face in terms of demands for increased quality and choice of services."

Despite the need to make unprecedented savings, we will continue to invest resources into key areas. These include:

• A restructured service delivering support to vulnerable families with children under-5 with improved early intervention
• Refurbishment of Alva library and CAP office
• Maintaining our commitment to free personal and respite care
• Additional investment in the recycling service so that Clackmannanshire can play its part in achieving a Zero Waste Scotland
• Paid for school meals remaining at the same price as they have done for the last seven years

The number of jobs at the Council continues to reduce via vacancy management, retirement and restructuring and the proposals agreed today also include a number of proposed changes to staff terms and conditions aimed at protecting jobs which are currently being discussed with the Trade Unions.

Councillor Ovens added: "The budgets we have prepared have involved a significant amount of engagement and involvement of staff, service users, the public, partners and other key stakeholders. This has allowed us to develop a range of proposals which aim to deliver a reduction in the Council's expenditure over time and provide a sustainable cost base from which the Council can move forward. We are keen to keep up the dialogue on these important issues, and while we cannot promise that everyone will get what they want, everyone's voice will be heard."