THREE community halls across the Wee County could have their funding removed as part of the budget set out for the next year.

Councillors will vote on the proposed 2024/25 budget during a meeting this Thursday, with the proposals published in advance.

Clackmannanshire Council has a revenue budget of £161.5 million to invest in local services for the 2024/25 period.

The community halls in Coalsnaughton, Clackmannan and Devonvale could see their funding fully removed if the proposals go through, which will see Clackmannanshire Council save up to £12,000 over the next two years.

Ellen Forson, Clackmannanshire Council leader, expressed sorrow for the incoming cuts in the foreword to the published proposals.

She said: “As I outlined last year, the outlook for future years remains challenging, not only for councils but across the entire public sector.

“This means that we must change the services we provide and reduce overheads.

“Where we can, we are trying to protect agreed priorities such as education, social work and health and social care, as well as tackling poverty, with over £100 million being invested in these services.

“However, this means less money to spend on other areas. These are not easy decisions to make as we know they will ultimately impact on local people and communities.”

The council has also put forward proposals "to continue to invest in key services and programmes to better the lives of everyone in the areas".

The council has accepted the Scottish Government’s offer of a council tax freeze, which will keep rates at the 2023/24 levels.

There will be £6 million to support children and young people with additional support needs, with a further allocation of £9.7 million to provide all three to four year olds 1140 hours of early learning and childcare.

A sum of £26.60 million has been set aside to cover adult social care through the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership.

Play parks across the Wee County could be upgraded with funding of £870,000 proposed, with investment of £52.92 million on roads and street lighting in Clacks also included in the budget.

And £77.5 million has been proposed for investment in the Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School project.

Councillor Forson continued: “By accepting the Scottish Government’s offer of £1.27 million to freeze council tax, we can ensure that this is one less cost increase households have to worry about while struggling daily with the cost-of-living crisis.

“We have not taken any decisions lightly, and in finalising our budget proposals for this year, we have endeavoured to take into consideration the community feedback and to try and find compromises which deliver a balance between affordability ad sustainability – providing the vital services that people need.

“This includes specific investment which will support and enable communities in Sauchie and Tillicoultry to take community facilities into local control – like the similar successful initiatives that have taken place in Dollar, Alva, Menstrie and Tullibody in recent years.

“We are acutely aware there are still challenges to overcome and savings to be made in future years and this also has to be taken into consideration when making our decisions.”

The full budget proposals can be found here.