At a Special Council Meeting last week, councillors approved the revenue budget of £118.796 million to spend on services in 2018/2019. A capital budget programme of £54.972m was also agreed for the five year period until 2023, with over 70 projects in the plan including the creation of the new Tullibody South Campus, funding for improvements to schools, investment in roads and footpaths and regeneration in communities.

Savings of £7.376m have been approved to deal with the spending gap. Some of the savings relate to organisational redesign and associated management restructure within the council, including a 40% reduction in management posts. Staffing reductions will be made through voluntary means. In addition there will be savings of £1.666 million made through management efficiencies.

A number of CAPs and halls are to be offered to local communities with a view to achieving Community Asset Transfers in line with the Community Empowerment Act.

It was also agreed that Clackmannanshire’s Council Tax is to rise by 3%, with the new Band D rate set at £1,217.91.

Councillors also agreed a net resource transfer for adult social care of £16.041 million to the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership.

Last month the council approved a five year business plan for the housing service, including 2% increase in rent levels for council houses.