Clackmannanshire is one of Scotland’s smallest councils — yet our communities face some of the highest levels of poverty and deprivation in the country. Families are already struggling under the weight of:

Record council tax increases
Significant council rent rises
Cuts to vital frontline services
Extremely high, inflation-busting pay rises for councillors
Against this backdrop, the Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council has been awarded a £32,000 salary increase, representing nearly a 24% rise, bringing the total salary to £165,755 per year.

This petition does not oppose the COSLA national framework.
But residents rightfully expect their council to acknowledge public concern, be fully transparent, and recognise the severe financial pressures local people are facing.

 
What We Are Asking For

1. Acknowledge that this decision goes against public opinion
At a time when local households are being asked to pay more and receive less, awarding a 24% pay increase — taking the salary to £165,755 — sends a message that leadership pay is being prioritised over the needs of the community.

Residents want the council to state openly that this decision is out of step with the financial reality in Clackmannanshire.

 
2. Admit that this £32,000 could have supported frontline services
Clackmannanshire is already struggling to fund:

school support
social care
housing repairs
road maintenance
community and mental health services
In one of Scotland’s most deprived areas, £32,000 is not an abstract figure — it represents real services, real support, and real people.

 
3. Publish the full cost of the pay rise to the council
A £32,000 uplift is only the base figure.
The public deserves clarity on:

employer National Insurance contributions
employer pension contributions
any additional allowances or commitments
long-term budget implications of a salary now sitting at £165,755
Transparency is essential for public trust.

 
4. Clarify the statement that “the salary hasn’t been reviewed since 2001”
While the grade may not have been formally reviewed, the role has still received over two decades of cost-of-living increases.
Residents expect this distinction to be acknowledged clearly and accurately.

 
5. Disclose the cost of Clackmannanshire Council’s COSLA membership
If the council attributes decisions to COSLA, residents have the right to know what COSLA membership costs each year — especially during a period of financial crisis.

 
6. Commit to reviewing whether COSLA membership remains value for money
This is a reasonable request given:

extremely high councillor pay rises,
a £165,755 senior salary,
rising taxes and rents,
and pressure to cut frontline support.
 
Why This Matters
Clackmannanshire contains some of the most disadvantaged areas in Scotland. Households are under immense strain. Services are stretched. Poverty is rising.

Awarding a £32,000 increase — raising one post to £165,755 — in the same year as:

residents face extreme rent rises,
council tax increases,
and councillors receive huge above-inflation salary boosts,
is deeply damaging to public confidence and community trust.

Transparency is not political.
It is a basic expectation in a local authority funded by its residents.

 
What We Want
We call on Clackmannanshire Council to:

acknowledge that the 24% pay rise goes against public opinion
recognise that the money could have supported frontline services
publish the full cost of the increase, including NI and pension
clarify the salary history and cost-of-living uplifts
disclose the annual cost of COSLA membership
review whether COSLA membership remains value for money
At a time of crisis, residents deserve honesty and full transparency — not silence.