Big Conversation

Stirling Council, like other Scottish local authorities, is facing an unprecedented financial challenge.

The majority of Scottish councils’ funding comes from the Scottish Government. In Stirling Council nearly 79% of the budget comes from a Scottish Government grant and our share of the Government’s non-domestic rates or business rates, with the rest raised from council tax to support the budget.

We need to make an estimated £13m of savings in 24/25, and a further £5m of savings in 25/26, in order for the Council to balance the budget.

This is in addition to the £40m in savings the Council has already achieved since 2014, and around £6m of savings made during the current financial year 23/24.

We are also continuing to redesign how we deliver our services, reducing cost whilst ensuring services are accessible to those who need them. We need your ideas on how we can tackle some of the key issues that affect us all, including:

• How do we continue to protect our most vulnerable?
• How do we reduce costs and increase income?
• How do we reduce demand for services?
• How do we reshape the Council to focus on modern demands?
• What is important to your area?

That’s why we’re launching our Big Conversation for 2024-25.

This will be an open, honest and ongoing dialogue to ensure that we can all play our part in helping us improve the lives of everyone in Stirling, reduce inequalities and deliver thriving, sustainable communities.

The next round of public drop-in events for Stirling Council’s Big Conversation with residents and communities is now taking place.

Through the ‘Big Conversation’, the views and priorities of residents are shaping how the Council addresses a budget shortfall of around £13 million next year (2024-25).  

The Council must bridge this gap to balance the budget despite making significant savings of approximately £6 million in the current financial year. 

The events will be an opportunity to find out more about our challenging financial situation and to speak to staff from various services about the wide-ranging work they do in your community, such as educating children and young people, collecting and recycling household waste, maintaining and improving the road network, running libraries and addressing housing needs. 

They will also provide a chance to discuss budget saving proposals being developed with each service and to give your views on matters such as Council Tax rates. 

The events follow community engagement sessions held in August and September where residents learned more about the Council’s financial challenges and shared their views and ideas on service delivery and income generation.

The next round of drop-in events will take place at secondary schools and community centres in November. See below for dates and times of these events.

Remember to use the hashtag #BigConversation2425 to provide feedback and ideas on our social media channels.

If you have attended any of the Big Conversation events and wish to comment you can use our online feedback form below.

If you attended an in person event and would like to leave feedback about it you can use the form below.

• McLaren High School - Monday 6 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Hillpark Community Centre - Wednesday 8 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Stirling High School - Monday 13 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Balfron High School - Wednesday 15 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Wallace High School - Monday 20 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Bannockburn High School - Wednesday 22 November, 6pm to 7:30pm
• Dunblane High School - Monday 27 November, 6pm to 7:30pm