The Need for Transparency Has Never Been More Important

Since launching this petition, the need for transparency around the £1 million Coalsnaughton support funding has only increased.

At this stage, Clackmannanshire Council has still not publicly confirmed that this funding will be ring-fenced exclusively for its intended purpose — supporting residents affected by the Coalsnaughton ground movement emergency.

This is a simple request.

Residents are not asking for anything unreasonable. They are simply asking the council to publicly confirm that the £1 million provided by the Scottish Government will be used only for dealing with the consequences of the Coalsnaughton emergency and supporting those directly affected.

Given the latest concerns raised in the Alloa Advertiser regarding delays to the council’s accounts, the importance of transparency and public confidence has never been greater.

https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/news/26240271.clackmannanshire-council-criticised-delayed-accounts/

When significant public funding is provided during a community emergency, residents deserve clear reassurance about how that money will be managed, monitored, and spent.

The request is straightforward:

Clackmannanshire Council should publicly confirm that the £1 million will be used solely for:

• Emergency accommodation and housing support.
• Staffing and operational costs directly linked to supporting affected residents.
• Welfare and hardship assistance.
• Professional assessments, surveys, and recovery work connected to the incident.
• Any other costs directly related to supporting those impacted by the ground movement.

This petition has never suggested that the funding will be misused. There is no evidence that it would be used for anything other than supporting the Coalsnaughton response.

However, transparency should not require a campaign from residents.

A simple public statement confirming that the funding is ring-fenced would provide reassurance to the community and demonstrate that the money is being used exactly as intended by the Scottish Government.

This request comes at a time when public confidence in Clackmannanshire Council’s financial decisions has been challenged by a number of recent issues, including:

• A 13% council tax increase in 2025/26, placing additional pressure on households already facing rising living costs.

• Reports of significant increases in elected member remuneration, including the Council Leader’s salary increasing from £35,580 to £50,063.

• Reports that the Chief Executive received a salary increase of approximately £32,000.

• Ongoing concerns from residents regarding engagement and whether local voices are being properly reflected in council decisions.

The recent reporting around delayed council accounts makes openness and accountability even more important.

Residents should not have to ask repeatedly for reassurance over emergency funding.

We therefore continue to call on Clackmannanshire Council to:

✅ Publicly confirm that the £1 million is ring-fenced for Coalsnaughton-related support.
✅ Provide regular updates on how the funding is being spent.
✅ Publish a final report showing exactly where the money has gone.

This is about trust, transparency, and ensuring that vital support reaches the people who need it most.

The people of Coalsnaughton deserve certainty that this funding will be used exactly for the purpose it was provided.