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On 22 and 23 June of this year, Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils considered a report, which we believe presents options for a new model for the delivery of public services for the citizens of Stirling and Clackmannanshire. We are currently at the feasibility stage and the initial work on the feasibility study will be reported to Council in November. Subject to Council approval, and Scottish Government support and resources, more detailed work will continue into early 2007. Its immediate impact, if put in place, could be efficiency savings of up to £4.5million. The proposal would not represent a merger of the two councils. Each would retain responsibility for setting policies and priorities.
Both our Councils are among the top performing local authorities and have more than their fair share of performance indicators in the highest quartile. Clackmannanshire and Stirling can point to successes in fields as diverse as recycling, early learning, libraries and joint ventures. Both have worked consistently to achieve growth in jobs and population and it is anticipated that this will continue. These successes have been attested by various inspections and audits.
The proposal which is being explored would involve many or all front-line services being jointly managed, possibly in a new joint service delivery organisation. Combining posts at senior and middle management levels and streamlining operational processes could lead to vastly reduced operating costs. The proposal would also build on plans to share services like Finance, Payroll, Human Resources and Procurement with a wider group of partners including Falkirk, Perth & Kinross and East Dunbartonshire Councils.
Both Councils would retain their own identity and ability to set their own service standards. Each Council area has a strong sense of local identity and community. Each is widely perceived by the population it serves as a natural unit of local government. Under the proposal both Councils would still maintain their identity and political autonomy. Local people would still be dealing with their own Council. What is being examined is a joining up at management level that would have little or no effect on frontline staff but would reduce our running costs and make a difference to our ability to meet the changing role of local government in the future.
This website has been set up to share information with staff. Please visit it regularly, especially the FAQ section, as it will be updated as questions are submitted.
If you have any questions you would like answered please email them to:
Keith Yates, Chief Executive of Stirling Council
Keir Bloomer, Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council
Hazel McMorrow, Head of Performance and Resources, Stirling Council
Elaine McPherson, Head of Strategic Policy, Clackmannanshire Council