Councillors will consider and make the decisions on the budget at a meeting of council on Thursday.

The reports forecast that the council’s total revenue and capital expenditure next year will be £327.88m and £57.85m, respectively. The revenue budget also sets out the proposed allocation to be transferred to the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership (£62.78m).

Over the next five years (2026-27 – 2030-31), the council is expected to have a cumulative budget gap of £50.76m due to the well-documented and long-running financial challenges impacting local government in Scotland. 

The reports set out the financial pressures faced by the council at this time, including the previous use of one-off savings, pay inflation, unavoidable cost and growth pressures on services, adult social care funding pressures and the ending of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Some of the proposals to bridge this year’s budget shortfall were informed by the council’s ongoing Big Conversation survey with residents that ran between 6 January and 1 February 2026. Almost 2,700 people provided feedback on potential ways for the council to raise more income, make savings and deliver services differently. 

The revenue and capital budget reports, as well as the administration motions relating to both budgets, can be viewed here.

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Susan McGil,l said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the latest Big Conversation survey and for providing such constructive feedback on the proposals.

“We have listened to what you have said – and be in no doubt you have helped inform how we negotiate next year’s budget shortfall and focus our resources on delivering the high-quality services you value the most.

“While we continue to navigate the financial challenges faced by local government, and won’t take any difficult decisions lightly this week, budget-setting is also an opportunity to invest in services and projects that support growth, community pride and deliver a better future for everyone across Stirling.”