THE people of Clackmannanshire have made their voices heard on what they want from local services and how they should be delivered. 

A total of 266 people responded to Clackmannanshire Council's Putting Customers First consultation conducted between August 12 and October 17.

The results of the consultation will be put before a full council meeting next Thursday and according to the report that will go before councillors, between 60-70 per cent of respondents indicated a preference for some form of local presence in Alloa (town centre and Alloa South & East), Sauchie, Tullibody, Menstrie, Alva, Tillicoultry, Dollar and Clackmannan except for Tillicoultry (72.5 per cent) Alloa Town Centre (82.7 per cent) and Alloa South and East (49.2 per cent).

At the same time, the report claimed respondents recognised that the council needed to make significant savings, with open-ended feedback expressing concern about its ability to resource services in every community.

Comments made in the consultation were detailed in the report with one of the main concerns being the need for more adult learning in the Wee County.

One response said: “More adult learning opportunities in libraries and more capacity to offer these services across Clackmannanshire.”

Two people believed more computer classes would be helpful and some residents believed there should be more help given to mastering the basics.

One local said: “Help adults to read and write. Don't just focus on young people all the time. Life doesn't stop at 25.”

There were mixed views as to whether so much needed to be done locally with some residents pointing out that not all community services were well used and would, perhaps, be best centralised to avoid resources being spread too thinly.

It was suggested that people from outlying areas would find it easier to use services if public transport was better, with one response reading: “Clackmannanshire is not a large area. Better transport links to main offices would be a more efficient way of providing services.”

Another suggestion was that mobile units could go round the villages perhaps once a fortnight.

There was one comment that called for services to be available all across the county.

It said: “If council staff worked closer together and shared information better, and I didn't have to chase all the way to Alloa, life would be a lot easier. I stay in (Tillicoultry) and everything is in Alloa. Clackmannanshire is not just Alloa.” 

Residents were also keen to see different council departments working closer together and the local authority working more with outside partners.

One comment said: “A single point of contact would be good as, more often than not, it appears that council services work in isolation rather than working together.” 

People who took part seemed aware that the council was facing budget constraints and would not be able to deliver everything residents would like. Some said services should be cut to enable the local authority to focus on the most pressing needs.

A series of public meetings were carried out across the Wee County and 47 people came along to air their views.

Attendees believed there were good public services available but they could be upgraded to better meet local needs.

Public toilets were high up on the list of concerns with several people saying more were needed.

In among the constructive criticism there was one person who believed council staff were more talented than they received credit for.

The response read: “I believe there is a lot of unused and unacknowledged talent in the current council staff.

"Give them the chance to broaden their horizons and develop so they can work across services doing multiple roles.

"I know a number of staff have degrees and other qualifications, experience and knowledge that is not drawn upon developed or respected. This would help retain staff with a genuine interest in the community.”

Do the council get it right? What would you like to see? Join the debate by posting a comment below.