Councillors recently approved proposals to work with Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils to develop potential models for integrated and shared service delivery.

They said the decision reflects the significant financial and service pressures facing Scottish local government, alongside the national direction set out in the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform Strategy.

A member officer group will oversee Stirling’s wider transformation programme and six-monthly progress updates will be provided to the council.

No decisions have been taken to change or integrate services at this stage, and the current phase will focus on developing and assessing options. Any future proposals for implementation will come back to the council, while engagement and consultation with staff and trade unions will also take place.

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Susan McGill, said: “This is about being proactive and responsible in how we respond to the significant financial challenges facing local government. Exploring collaboration with our Forth Valley partners allows us to consider how we strengthen resilience, reduce duplication and protect frontline services.

“No decisions have been made to change services. This is about developing options carefully, transparently and with local democracy and public service at its heart. It will support our ongoing transformation work which is essential to ensure we remain financially sustainable and able to continue delivering high-quality services for our communities.

“Working alongside Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils gives us the opportunity to build on national reform principles while ensuring the priorities of Stirlingshire remain central to any future decisions.”

The report to councillors highlighted that working at a Forth Valley level offers opportunities to:

• Increase capacity and resilience by sharing specialist expertise
• Reduce duplication and maximise economies of scale
• Strengthen digital transformation
• Improve long-term financial sustainability
• Enhance service outcomes for communities.

Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils have secured £2m from the Scottish Government’s ‘Invest to Save Fund’ to support development work. Stirling Council will be able to access support through this funding for any collaborative options developed jointly.

Further consideration and decisions of the council will be required prior to any alternative arrangement being agreed and implemented.

A joint communications and engagement plan will be developed between the three councils to ensure consistent messaging across all stakeholders. Engagement with staff and Trade Unions will be a critical part of the work to explore opportunities.

Further updates will be provided to Council every six months as the work progresses.