IMPROVED sports facilities, main street improvements and a Christmas tree have all been touted for Coalsnaughton by election candidates.

The village is set to expand with housing currently being constructed, and with a population spike comes the opportunity for stronger community engagement.

Candidates in the Clackmannanshire North ward have been airing their thoughts on what they will try and do to improve the lives of those living and coming to live in the village.

Labour candidate Bobby McGill said: “The monument in Coalsnaughton is in some state and I’d like to upgrade that, if we can.

“But another thing is it must be the only place that doesn’t have a Christmas tree.

There’s nothing like that there, so that’s something else we might reasonably try to do.”

He added: “If we can get more people and more houses into Coalsnaughton, then we can get the parks used more and maybe get more people using the football parks and changing facilities.

“Anything that encourages kids to play sport is something we should look into.”

SNP candidate Donald Balsillie said: “I think we could certainly look at some funding for the main street enhancements. And the hall itself – the heart of the community – maybe there is some way to redesign it to provide wider benefits to the area.”

Colleague Helen Lewis added: “It may be worthwhile developing the community centre and the football facilities there. Leisure is very important, and we need to make sure facilities are kept up to date.”

The Conservatives’ Martha Benny said: “A lot of people think of Coalsnaughton as an annex of Tillicoultry – but it is an area in its own right.

“I think it would be worthwhile trying to set up a community group if we can. It’s something that would help drive things forward, if people were willing.

“From there we could work together to improve the main street and bring more footfall there.”

The idea of a community group was echoed by Labour candidate Dave Clark, who said he wants to help strengthen the social infrastructure in the area.

He said: “We acknowledge that some parts of our communities are not as articulate as others. But we are committed to talking with them.

“Not only that, we are going to capacity build and give communities the confidence to influence the council on local issues.

Archie Drummond remains optimistic for the future of the village and said: “It’s now a really lovely place to be and people are waking up to that.

“Previously the school had a high turnover of head teachers, but we’ve got someone in there now and that’s really made a difference. It’s a more vibrant school now.

“And with more housing coming, there will be more families arriving and that can only be good for the life of the village.”