Published on:
17
December 2019
Local people are being asked to give their views on the impact of options put forward by officers as part of the Council’s budget setting process.
The Council’s transformational programme is underway to deliver change so that we can deliver customer focussed services to the communities we serve. As part of this, work is underway to make sure that the Council meets its legal requirement to set a balanced budget.
As in previous years, with a background of increasing demand for some services and uncertain public finances, the challenge of setting a balanced budget continues to be extremely difficult and further tough decisions will have to be made. The budget gap over the next 3 years is around £19m, with just over £7m required in 2020/21.
However, our transformation programme is underway and this is driving change at the Council which we believe will lead to financial sustainability. The way in which some services are delivered is likely to change in order to improve customer access and reduce costs
To inform the process of budget setting by councillors, we are engaging widely on two proposals which will affect the majority of residents in Clackmannanshire. These are the options of increases in both council tax rates and charges for council services.
We are also engaging on an option to increase council house rent levels.
Details and short surveys are now open on the Council website, and people can give their views until 24 January. Staff in your local council office can help you with this if you don't have access to a computer.
An engagement process on management efficiencies and policy decisions to help close the budget gap is also underway with those impacted.
The results of the engagement will be put forward to councillors before they make the final decisions at a budget meeting early this year.
Cllr Ellen Forson. Leader of the Council said: “The Council is involved in a programme of transformational change to ensure that it is a customer focused organisation that is securing financial sustainability to deliver important services to our communities. I would encourage residents to fill in the online survey so that this can be shared with councillors before a budget is agreed. Your views are a very important part of the decision making process.”