The council said it must bridge this gap to balance its next budget despite making significant savings of approximately £6m in the current financial year.

Through the ‘Big Conversation’, the views and priorities of residents will shape how the council responds to an “unprecedented financial challenge” and the final decisions made in the budget-setting process.

The phased process will be supported by engaging content on the council’s social platforms, an online survey and further drop-in sessions on services that residents have said matter most to them.

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Chris Kane, said: “Stirling Council, like all other Scottish local authorities, is under severe financial pressure despite making savings year on year. We need to talk about how we’re going to bridge the budget gap of around £13m to continue to deliver services.

“Our ‘Big Conversation’ with residents starts now and everyone has the opportunity to join in and have their say.

“Whether it’s about the services that you value most, such as education, waste, roads, libraries or housing; ideas of transforming how we work; where investment should be prioritised or suggestions to generate income – we need to hear from you.

“The harsh reality is we don’t have enough money to provide services in the way we are all used to seeing. Everything you tell us will help inform our decisions, so I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

The first round of public drop-in sessions are listed below:

• Tuesday 29 August: Drymen Library (4-6pm)
• Thursday 31 August: Bridge of Allan Library (4-6pm)
• Friday 1 September: Raploch Campus (10-12 noon)
• Monday 4 September: Dunblane Library (3-5pm)
• Tuesday 5 September: Balfron Library (11am–1pm)
• Wednesday 6 September: Cambusbarron Library (3-5pm)
• Thursday 7 September: Bannockburn Library (10-12 noon)
• Friday 8 September: Cowie Library (10-12 noon)
• Monday 11 September: Plean Library (3-5pm)
• Tuesday 12 September: Fallin Library (11am-1pm)
• Wednesday 13 September: Doune Library (2-4pm)
• Thursday 14 September: Callander Library (4-6pm)
• Friday 15 September: Killin Library (11am-1pm)