THE current financial situation at the Clackmannanshire Council is very concerning.
Every local authority has had to take tough, often unpopular, decisions when trying to set a balanced budget. The majority have done so in a structured and fair manner, while ensuring that the size of the deficit is managed as evenly as possible across the whole five year term of the council.
This has meant that, although the cuts have been painful, they have been made in a way which is as fair as possible. But this has not happened in Clackmannanshire.
The projected cumulative funding gap for 2017-18 is £18.5 million for Clackmannanshire Council. The 14 per cent deficit to the total budget puts Clackmannanshire out on its own above every other council across Scotland (statistics pictured).
The severity of the cuts required this year and the next could have been avoided if the SNP administration in Clackmannanshire Council had not wasted years in inaction.
A combination of postponing cuts and spending the council’s reserves has resulted in this severe funding gap of 14 per cent in the projected revenue expenditure. Audit Scotland recommends that such reserves should be kept for emergencies, not for meeting annual revenue.
Along with many people involved in both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils, I am disappointed that Stirling Council has felt that it must now withdraw from the shared education and social work services with Clackmannanshire Council.
But Stirling Council claims that the financial situation in Clackmannanshire Council makes the risks of integrating services further too high. Moreover, I understand that Stirling Council officers reported that already, Stirling were subsidising Clackmannanshire Council to the tune of £400,000 annually. Stirling could not justify continuing with such a subsidy to another authority.
The plan for a Joint Integration Board for Health and Social Care between the NHS and the two councils remains in place.
On a brighter note, I welcome the outcome of community campaign concerning the Tullibody Public Park held over the summer. The aim of the campaign was to prevent Clackmannanshire Council building a school on Tullibody Public Park.
Following a consultation and an overwhelming support from the community, a public meeting was held with the councillors for the area, and it was decided categorically that the park would not be built upon.
It’s a huge achievement by everyone involved and a great example of democracy in action where local councillors engage with the community.
As always, If you have any concerns or an issue you feel I may be able to help you with, you can contact me at Richard.simpson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk or my team on 01786 446515.
To keep up to date on my Parliamentary work please visit my website: www.richardsimpson.info or find me on social media. I can be found on twitter at @rsimpsonmsp, or on facebook at richardsimpsonmsp