COUNCIL tax is proposed to increase by four per cent next year in the Wee County with residents given a chance to have their say.

As part of its public engagement ahead of the next budget being set, Clackmannanshire Council has launched a survey to help inform the process.

Each one per cent increase in the local government levy generates the council around £230,000 and the budget gap for the upcoming 2020-21 financial year is estimated to be about £7million.

The council believes its ongoing organisational redesign, which was agreed in March 2018, will lead to financial sustainability.

An increase of around 2 per cent in general fees and charges is also being proposed, with people being urged to air their views on the council’s online Citizen Space platform or at libraries and CAPs.

Some “management efficiencies” and one policy saving were highlighted in council documents last week, together with the council tax increase they come to just over £3m, which still appears to leave £4m to be found.

Plans are to set the budget for 2020-21 at a full council meeting in February.