Shoppers to be quizzed on budget cuts

Two budget events will be held at supermarkets in the county

Supermarket shoppers in Clackmannanshire are to be canvassed on how the council should spend its cash.

Two "budget engagement" events will be held at supermarkets in the county in September - one at Tesco and the other at Morrisons.

The council said the aim was to help councillors understand the impact of cuts to services.

The authority is attempting to save millions of pounds, which is said could not be done by efficiencies alone.

'Tough decisions'

Nikki Bridle, director of finance at Clackmannanshire Council, said: "Local government is accustomed to making major efficiencies, which generate millions of pounds of savings every year.

"While we will all continue to modernise the way we work, there is no way that we can find these significant savings by making efficiencies alone. We have to look at doing things differently, stopping some services and charging for others."

Ms Bridle said "tough decisions" already taken by the council included closing public toilets in Alloa and introducing transport charges for adults with disabilities.

The council has also cut its grant to the tourist board and started to share services more with neighbouring councils, Ms Bridle said.

Council leader Janet Cadenhead said: "We would like to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say on this vital issue which is why we've organised so many ways for the public to engage with us."

The supermarket events will be held in Morrisons on 2 September and at Tesco on 16 September.

Clackmannanshire residents can also e-mail their money-saving suggestions to the council.