Residents are being urged to have their say on proposals to help address Stirling Council’s estimated £12.25 million budget shortfall next year (2026-27).

A new survey has been launched that sets out potential ways for the council to raise more income, make savings and deliver services differently.The consultation continues the council’s Big Conversation with its communities about how it negotiates the ongoing and unprecedented financial challenge impacting local government in Scotland.The main reason for this is that the council’s funding and income is not meeting the rising costs needed to deliver its vital every-day services, from educating children and young people, to maintaining a vast road network, or collecting and recycling household waste.

Despite bridging a similar shortfall last year through an 8.8% increase in council tax and a range of savings totalling £7.7 million (mainly  fficiencies), the council and other local authorities across Scotland must make further difficult decisions this year to balance their budgets.Residents can help inform this process by taking part in the survey on the Engage Stirling website [1], with paper copies available in libraries shortly.

The closing date is Sunday 1 February.

To see the full list of the proposed savings and take part in the online survey, visit:https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/big-conversation-26-27 

For more information, please visit www.stirling.gov.uk/bigconversation