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Plans to shape new priorities in local communities and to help businesses across Falkirk have been outlined by Falkirk Council during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a wide-ranging public consultation with the public and elected members, the Council has three new priorities:

  • Delivering more sustainable communities to allow everyone to feel healthier, happier and safer
  • Making the Falkirk area more prosperous and help to support businesses
  • Take a more innovative and entrepreneurial approach that is unafraid of change

These will be delivered by a new business plan for Falkirk Council that focuses on large scale transformation of how the Council operates.

The business plan will look at the Council’s financial plans for the medium term and how 23 transformation projects will help achieve substantial savings.

It will also set out the proposed investment in the new priorities such as £13m for digital communities improving online services and helping local communities have full access to them.

More investment in mobile and flexible working for employees is also planned helping to reduce costs; the use of alternative fuel sources and other capital works.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “Having consulted widely, we now have a far better idea of what local communities expect as we progress through the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure that their priorities are met.

“The plans reflect concerns for business, the environment and for a more adaptable and modern Council to deliver services locally.

“We know that it is ambitious but the way we are working is changing to make us far more agile to help those who need the most support.

“It is also clear that digital technology will have a crucial part to play as we move on.”

The new plans are available to read online:


Notes

  • We expect to spend c. £1.5bn in Council Services over the next 3 years.
  • We’ll spend around £600m on our children and young people through our Children’s Services.
  • We will fund over £270m in the Health and Social Care Partnership to transform and improve the quality and consistency of services for patients, carers, service users and their families.
  • Nearly £200m will go through our Housing Revenue Account so that tenants of Falkirk Council receive the maximum benefit from their rents and ultimately the best standards of service.
  • Our Capital programme pays for major projects such as improving council assets. Following the impact of COVID-19 we will plan to invest £18m in digital capability to transform how we deliver services and support young people's learning.
  • Over the next five years we will spend nearly £150m on our roads, school estates, parks and open spaces and flood prevention. This helps make our area ‘The Place to Be’.