Falkirk Council is facing a £40million funding gap over the next three years and is seeking views from local residents on how this can be addressed.
A wide ranging public consultation has been launched over potential savings put forward by senior Council managers,
All services are being examined and proposals include charging, reducing or even stopping some services. Options also include further reviews of the Council’s assets.
Council Leader Craig Martin said: “We are looking for as much feedback on what local residents think and this will help us to come to a better decision once these views are known.
“These savings come at a time when the local population is increasing and demand for services is at an all time high and attempting to reduce costs but provide the same services presents a difficult challenge.”
Over 100 options have been put forward with more to come over the coming months. These include:
- A reduction in work carried out on flower beds, shrubs, hedges and hanging baskets could produce savings of £145k
- Reducing Social Work day services could save £460k
- Reviewing the management structures in nursery schools could save £145k
- Ending the supported shopping service and replacing it with voluntary support could save £125k
- A review of community learning and development services could save £700k
Council Leader Craig Martin added: “No decisions have been taken on savings yet and feedback from both the public and staff will be taken into account before the budget is finalised in February 2015.”
The survey is available online
The actual projected shortfall for 2015/16 is £7.8m, with further shortfalls of £17.4m and £15.2m in 2016/17 and 2017/18.