Call for an Independent Review into Clackmannanshire Council
The Issue
Petition: Call for an Independent Review into Clackmannanshire Council’s Governance, Transparency, Public Engagement and Value for Money
We, the residents of Clackmannanshire, call on the Scottish Government and First Minister John Swinney to consider commissioning an independent review into Clackmannanshire Council’s governance, financial management, transparency, public engagement and value for money.
This petition is not about attacking individuals, political parties, council employees or elected members. It is about ensuring residents have confidence in their local authority and that decisions involving public money are transparent, properly scrutinised and clearly explained.
Local government plays a vital role in people’s everyday lives. Councils provide essential services that communities depend on, and residents rightly expect openness, accountability and responsible decision-making.
However, in recent years, many residents have expressed concerns about council tax increases, rising household costs, pressures on local services, financial priorities, senior remuneration, elected member allowances, external spending and the relationship between the council and the communities it represents.
Public Confidence and Engagement
A key reason for this petition is the need to strengthen trust between Clackmannanshire Council and the residents it serves.
The council has recognised that improving public engagement and communication with communities is an important area for development.
Effective local government depends on residents feeling that their views are listened to, considered and reflected in decisions.
Public reporting has also highlighted challenges around engaging households and encouraging wider participation.
This petition does not seek to criticise individual council employees or elected members. Instead, it raises a wider question about whether current engagement methods are allowing residents to feel genuinely involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Residents should have confidence that:
Their concerns are listened to.
Consultations are meaningful.
Decisions are explained clearly.
Feedback is considered.
Communities are involved before significant decisions are made.
A local authority cannot build public confidence through communication alone after decisions have already been taken. Trust is built through openness, transparency and meaningful engagement.
An independent review would provide an opportunity to assess whether current approaches are effective and whether further improvements could strengthen relationships between the council and residents.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/25898340.clackmannanshire-councils-struggle-engage-households/
Financial Pressures Facing Residents
Many households across Clackmannanshire continue to experience significant financial pressures due to rising food costs, energy bills, housing costs and the wider cost of living.
The area also faces challenges linked to poverty and deprivation, meaning many households are making difficult financial choices.
Against this background, residents have reasonably asked questions about council spending priorities, affordability and whether decisions involving public money demonstrate appropriate value for money.
In recent years, households have faced increased financial pressures, including:
A 13% council tax increase in 2025/26.
A further 5.6% council tax increase for 2026/27.
Increases in council housing rents affecting many tenants already experiencing rising household costs.
Continued pressure on local services and difficult budget decisions.
For many residents, particularly those on lower incomes or experiencing financial hardship, these increases represent real choices about essential household spending.
This petition does not suggest councils should avoid difficult financial decisions. Local authorities across Scotland face significant funding pressures.
However, residents deserve transparency about:
Why increases are necessary.
What alternatives have been considered.
How spending priorities are determined.
Whether decisions reflect the realities facing local communities.
When households are being asked to contribute more through council tax and housing costs, it becomes even more important that residents have confidence that every area of public spending is carefully considered and clearly explained.
Senior Remuneration, Elected Member Allowances and Public Confidence
Residents have raised concerns about the perception that decisions around senior remuneration and elected member allowances appear disconnected from the financial pressures experienced by many households across Clackmannanshire.
This petition does not suggest that people carrying significant responsibilities should not receive appropriate remuneration. Senior officers and elected members have important roles within local government, and remuneration arrangements are determined through established processes and national frameworks.
The concern raised by residents is about transparency, timing and public confidence.
Public reports have highlighted a significant increase in senior remuneration within Clackmannanshire Council, including a reported increase of around £32,000 to the Chief Executive salary, bringing the annual salary to approximately £165,000.
Residents have also raised concerns about increases in elected member remuneration. Reports highlighted that senior councillor roles within Clackmannanshire Council saw increases of around 40%, affecting positions with additional responsibilities such as council leadership and committee roles.
Councillor remuneration is determined through national arrangements rather than councillors simply deciding their own pay. However, residents are entitled to ask questions about how these increases are perceived locally and whether sufficient consideration has been given to public confidence and the financial pressures facing households.
These concerns have attracted particular attention because increases in elected member remuneration occurred only months after residents were asked to accept a 13% council tax increase for 2025/26.
This was followed by a further 5.6% council tax increase for 2026/27, alongside increases in council housing rents, at a time when many households continue to face rising food prices, energy costs, housing pressures and wider cost-of-living challenges.
For many residents, including those experiencing poverty, financial hardship or difficult choices around essential spending, the contrast between increased costs for households and increases in senior public sector remuneration has created a perception that decision-makers may be becoming disconnected from the realities experienced by the communities they represent.
The concern is not whether individuals should be fairly compensated for the responsibilities they undertake.
The concern is whether decisions involving public money are being communicated clearly, whether residents understand the reasoning behind them and whether they demonstrate the same financial consideration expected from households being asked to contribute more.
Residents are not asking for remuneration decisions to automatically be reversed.
They are asking for acknowledgement that public confidence can be affected by the timing and communication of such decisions, and that greater transparency is needed.
A council’s responsibility is not only to follow the correct processes when making decisions, but also to maintain trust by explaining those decisions clearly and demonstrating an understanding of the financial pressures facing the people it serves.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/25630085.clacks-councils-nikki-bridle-get-32-000-pay-rise/
Spending Priorities, COSLA Payments and Transparency
Residents have also raised questions about wider council spending priorities and whether all areas of expenditure provide clear and measurable benefits.
One area that has attracted public attention is payments made by Clackmannanshire Council to external organisations, including membership-related payments to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
Information raised by residents indicates that payments to COSLA between 2020 and 2025 totalled more than £422,000.
COSLA provides an important role in representing Scotland’s councils and supporting local authorities on national issues. However, residents are entitled to ask reasonable questions about significant public expenditure and whether the benefits received are clearly understood.
Residents are asking:
What benefits do these payments provide for local communities?
How is value for money assessed?
Are residents provided with sufficient information about significant expenditure?
Are all spending commitments regularly reviewed?
The issue is not whether external organisations have a legitimate role.
The issue is whether residents have confidence that every pound of public money is carefully considered and that spending decisions are clearly explained.
Financial Governance and Independent Scrutiny
Strong financial management, effective scrutiny and transparency are essential parts of good local government.
Previous scrutiny from bodies such as Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission has highlighted the importance of sound financial planning, governance and long-term sustainability within local authorities.
An independent review would provide an impartial assessment of:
Financial sustainability.
Governance arrangements.
Decision-making processes.
Public engagement.
Spending priorities.
Value for money.
Such a review would not assume wrongdoing or failure.
If current arrangements are effective, an independent review would provide reassurance.
If improvements are needed, it would provide an opportunity to identify changes that could strengthen local government and rebuild confidence.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/26240271.clackmannanshire-council-criticised-delayed-accounts/
A Call for Transparency and Trust
Residents are not asking for special treatment.
They are asking for accountability, openness and meaningful engagement.
They are asking for a council that explains decisions clearly, listens to communities and demonstrates that public money is being managed responsibly.
Community campaigns and petitions have been created because residents believe their concerns deserve to be acknowledged and properly considered.
Recognising public concern is not an admission of failure. It is a necessary part of a healthy democracy.
An independent review would provide reassurance, improve transparency and help rebuild confidence between Clackmannanshire Council and the communities it serves.
We therefore call on the Scottish Government to consider commissioning an independent review into Clackmannanshire Council’s governance, transparency, public engagement and value for money.
148
The Issue
Petition: Call for an Independent Review into Clackmannanshire Council’s Governance, Transparency, Public Engagement and Value for Money
We, the residents of Clackmannanshire, call on the Scottish Government and First Minister John Swinney to consider commissioning an independent review into Clackmannanshire Council’s governance, financial management, transparency, public engagement and value for money.
This petition is not about attacking individuals, political parties, council employees or elected members. It is about ensuring residents have confidence in their local authority and that decisions involving public money are transparent, properly scrutinised and clearly explained.
Local government plays a vital role in people’s everyday lives. Councils provide essential services that communities depend on, and residents rightly expect openness, accountability and responsible decision-making.
However, in recent years, many residents have expressed concerns about council tax increases, rising household costs, pressures on local services, financial priorities, senior remuneration, elected member allowances, external spending and the relationship between the council and the communities it represents.
Public Confidence and Engagement
A key reason for this petition is the need to strengthen trust between Clackmannanshire Council and the residents it serves.
The council has recognised that improving public engagement and communication with communities is an important area for development.
Effective local government depends on residents feeling that their views are listened to, considered and reflected in decisions.
Public reporting has also highlighted challenges around engaging households and encouraging wider participation.
This petition does not seek to criticise individual council employees or elected members. Instead, it raises a wider question about whether current engagement methods are allowing residents to feel genuinely involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Residents should have confidence that:
Their concerns are listened to.
Consultations are meaningful.
Decisions are explained clearly.
Feedback is considered.
Communities are involved before significant decisions are made.
A local authority cannot build public confidence through communication alone after decisions have already been taken. Trust is built through openness, transparency and meaningful engagement.
An independent review would provide an opportunity to assess whether current approaches are effective and whether further improvements could strengthen relationships between the council and residents.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/25898340.clackmannanshire-councils-struggle-engage-households/
Financial Pressures Facing Residents
Many households across Clackmannanshire continue to experience significant financial pressures due to rising food costs, energy bills, housing costs and the wider cost of living.
The area also faces challenges linked to poverty and deprivation, meaning many households are making difficult financial choices.
Against this background, residents have reasonably asked questions about council spending priorities, affordability and whether decisions involving public money demonstrate appropriate value for money.
In recent years, households have faced increased financial pressures, including:
A 13% council tax increase in 2025/26.
A further 5.6% council tax increase for 2026/27.
Increases in council housing rents affecting many tenants already experiencing rising household costs.
Continued pressure on local services and difficult budget decisions.
For many residents, particularly those on lower incomes or experiencing financial hardship, these increases represent real choices about essential household spending.
This petition does not suggest councils should avoid difficult financial decisions. Local authorities across Scotland face significant funding pressures.
However, residents deserve transparency about:
Why increases are necessary.
What alternatives have been considered.
How spending priorities are determined.
Whether decisions reflect the realities facing local communities.
When households are being asked to contribute more through council tax and housing costs, it becomes even more important that residents have confidence that every area of public spending is carefully considered and clearly explained.
Senior Remuneration, Elected Member Allowances and Public Confidence
Residents have raised concerns about the perception that decisions around senior remuneration and elected member allowances appear disconnected from the financial pressures experienced by many households across Clackmannanshire.
This petition does not suggest that people carrying significant responsibilities should not receive appropriate remuneration. Senior officers and elected members have important roles within local government, and remuneration arrangements are determined through established processes and national frameworks.
The concern raised by residents is about transparency, timing and public confidence.
Public reports have highlighted a significant increase in senior remuneration within Clackmannanshire Council, including a reported increase of around £32,000 to the Chief Executive salary, bringing the annual salary to approximately £165,000.
Residents have also raised concerns about increases in elected member remuneration. Reports highlighted that senior councillor roles within Clackmannanshire Council saw increases of around 40%, affecting positions with additional responsibilities such as council leadership and committee roles.
Councillor remuneration is determined through national arrangements rather than councillors simply deciding their own pay. However, residents are entitled to ask questions about how these increases are perceived locally and whether sufficient consideration has been given to public confidence and the financial pressures facing households.
These concerns have attracted particular attention because increases in elected member remuneration occurred only months after residents were asked to accept a 13% council tax increase for 2025/26.
This was followed by a further 5.6% council tax increase for 2026/27, alongside increases in council housing rents, at a time when many households continue to face rising food prices, energy costs, housing pressures and wider cost-of-living challenges.
For many residents, including those experiencing poverty, financial hardship or difficult choices around essential spending, the contrast between increased costs for households and increases in senior public sector remuneration has created a perception that decision-makers may be becoming disconnected from the realities experienced by the communities they represent.
The concern is not whether individuals should be fairly compensated for the responsibilities they undertake.
The concern is whether decisions involving public money are being communicated clearly, whether residents understand the reasoning behind them and whether they demonstrate the same financial consideration expected from households being asked to contribute more.
Residents are not asking for remuneration decisions to automatically be reversed.
They are asking for acknowledgement that public confidence can be affected by the timing and communication of such decisions, and that greater transparency is needed.
A council’s responsibility is not only to follow the correct processes when making decisions, but also to maintain trust by explaining those decisions clearly and demonstrating an understanding of the financial pressures facing the people it serves.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/25630085.clacks-councils-nikki-bridle-get-32-000-pay-rise/
Spending Priorities, COSLA Payments and Transparency
Residents have also raised questions about wider council spending priorities and whether all areas of expenditure provide clear and measurable benefits.
One area that has attracted public attention is payments made by Clackmannanshire Council to external organisations, including membership-related payments to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
Information raised by residents indicates that payments to COSLA between 2020 and 2025 totalled more than £422,000.
COSLA provides an important role in representing Scotland’s councils and supporting local authorities on national issues. However, residents are entitled to ask reasonable questions about significant public expenditure and whether the benefits received are clearly understood.
Residents are asking:
What benefits do these payments provide for local communities?
How is value for money assessed?
Are residents provided with sufficient information about significant expenditure?
Are all spending commitments regularly reviewed?
The issue is not whether external organisations have a legitimate role.
The issue is whether residents have confidence that every pound of public money is carefully considered and that spending decisions are clearly explained.
Financial Governance and Independent Scrutiny
Strong financial management, effective scrutiny and transparency are essential parts of good local government.
Previous scrutiny from bodies such as Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission has highlighted the importance of sound financial planning, governance and long-term sustainability within local authorities.
An independent review would provide an impartial assessment of:
Financial sustainability.
Governance arrangements.
Decision-making processes.
Public engagement.
Spending priorities.
Value for money.
Such a review would not assume wrongdoing or failure.
If current arrangements are effective, an independent review would provide reassurance.
If improvements are needed, it would provide an opportunity to identify changes that could strengthen local government and rebuild confidence.
https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/26240271.clackmannanshire-council-criticised-delayed-accounts/
A Call for Transparency and Trust
Residents are not asking for special treatment.
They are asking for accountability, openness and meaningful engagement.
They are asking for a council that explains decisions clearly, listens to communities and demonstrates that public money is being managed responsibly.
Community campaigns and petitions have been created because residents believe their concerns deserve to be acknowledged and properly considered.
Recognising public concern is not an admission of failure. It is a necessary part of a healthy democracy.
An independent review would provide reassurance, improve transparency and help rebuild confidence between Clackmannanshire Council and the communities it serves.
We therefore call on the Scottish Government to consider commissioning an independent review into Clackmannanshire Council’s governance, transparency, public engagement and value for money.
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Petition created on 28 July 2026