This increase is below the Scottish Government’s Council Tax cap rate of 4.84% and below the 4% which was consulted on. This means the new Band D rate will be set at £1,304.63.

The housing revenue budget and capital programme for the year ahead, including an increase in rent levels for council houses of 1.5% for 2020/2021 was also agreed. This increase is lower than the rise of 2.2% set in 2019/2020.

At a special council meeting, councillors approved the revenue budget of £128.318m to spend on services in 2020/2021 which protects the council’s funding of local third sector organisations.

A capital budget programme of more than £18m was also agreed for the next financial year, which includes priority investment in the schools estate, with a particular commitment to early years childcare and the 1140 hours initiative, roads and paths infrastructure and community regeneration.

The capital programme also features City Region Deal projects including Scotland’s International Environment Centre which will be located in Alloa and will maximise economic opportunities for local people and businesses while at the same time demonstrate the Council’s commitment to climate change.

The council has also agreed a net resource transfer for adult social care of £19.04m to the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership.

The 2020/2021 budget was agreed following public engagement with local residents and organisations and creates investment capacity for innovation while minimising the impact on service users. As in previous years, a background of increasing demand for some services coupled with less funding still proves to be challenging and the spending gap over the next 3 years is around £20m.

Clackmannanshire Council has also begun a 10-year programme of change called Be the Future, which will transform and improve the way it works and delivers its services to ensure the council is financially sustainable for the future.

The council’s Be the Future programme will focus on three main areas:

• Sustainable Inclusive Growth – we will tackle poverty and inequality by maximising opportunities for local people and businesses through our improved economic performance.
• Empowering Families & Communities – we will place people at the heart of our service delivery and work in partnership to build individual; family and community skills to support social and financial independence.
• Health & Wellbeing – we will improve the environment, quality of life and ease of access to service. Delivering increased well-being will help to promote economic prosperity for all our residents.

Clackmannanshire Council has said that it will continue to work with its national and local partners including the members of Clackmannanshire Alliance, Stirling University and neighbouring councils in Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside to explore the potential opportunities for closer partnership working.