CLACKS Council is urging residents to have their say on a range of options being put forward as part of the council’s budget setting process for the next financial year.

The council report that they are facing further rising costs, reducing budgets and increased demand for services, which will impact the budget they can set.

They have reported they have £152 million to spend on services such as education, health and social care and child care.

This funding, of which 83 per cent comes from the Scottish Government and 17 per cent from council tax, is also used to provide services such as waste collection, recycling and to maintain roads, footpaths and parks.

Clacks Council is facing a budget of around £11.56 million which means savings are unavoidable, with levels of provision and service delivery looking slightly different.

Therefore, the council is eager to hear from as many residents as possible on the proposals, one option which does include increased charges on council services.

Ellen Forson, Clackmannanshire Council leader, said: “Making your voice heard only takes a few minutes and, as previous council budgets have shown, it really does make a difference.

“It’s more important than ever that as many people as possible take part this year and tell us where they think the council’s limited resources should be focused before the difficult decision are taken.”

The Scottish Government has introduced a council tax freeze, funded to the equivalent of a five per cent increase, however, council tax levels are decided by councillors as part of the budget setting process.

The survey will remain open until February 18, with the results presented to councillors before the final decisions in March.

The survey can be found at clackmannanshire.citizenspace.com/communications-department/budget-consultation-2024-25-priorities/.