Council tax rises across Forth Valley

Council tax rises across the Forth Valley come into effect from today.

Budgets were approved by local authorities earlier this year.

Residents in Falkirk will pay 8.77% more - with an 8.75% hike in Stirling.

Meanwhile, council tax in Clackmannanshire has risen by 5.6%.

Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn said:

"We know this continues to be a very challenging time for public finances. The cost of delivering essential services is rising and demand for support, particularly in areas such as social care and family services, remains high.  

“This budget sets out a balanced and responsible financial plan. It protects the services that many residents rely on while allowing us to invest in the condition of our buildings, roads and public spaces and in the wellbeing of our communities.  

“Falkirk has received one of the higher funding increases from the Scottish Government this year, which has helped put the Council in a stronger position than in previous years. By planning carefully and identifying savings through operational efficiencies, we have been able to avoid relying on one-off measures to balance the budget.  

“The approach we have taken spreads the responsibility across savings, investment and Council Tax decisions. It means we can continue to support our most vulnerable residents while also investing in the places where people live.  

“The budget includes additional funding for social care, work to tackle child poverty and gender-based violence, and expanded family support services. It also creates a new, clean and green team to respond to concerns residents have raised about litter, fly-tipping and the appearance of local areas.  

“We are also committing significant capital investment in our infrastructure. We hope this could include improvements to roads and street lighting, investment in schools and community facilities, and progress on projects such as the new Falkirk Town Hall and leisure facilities across the area.  

“These are long-term investments that will support our communities and local services for many years.  

“We recognise that any increase in Council Tax has an impact on household budgets. Support remains in place through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for people on lower incomes, and many households will not see their bills increase.  

“Taken together, this budget aims to protect essential services, invest in communities and place the Council on a more sustainable financial footing for the years ahead.

Stirling Council leader Susan McGill said:

“This budget will deliver significant new investments in the services that matter most to our communities, drive growth and help restore civic pride across Stirling.

“While setting a budget in the current financial climate for local government is hugely challenging, I am proud we have managed to address a significant shortfall whilst committing to additional spending in priority areas for residents such as roads, footpaths and the maintenance of our cherished public spaces.

“We have had to take some difficult decisions to do this, including increasing council tax, but these have been necessary to ensure we can deliver better outcomes for everyone across Stirling and invest in the area’s future.”

Clackmannanshire Council leader Ellen Forson said: "I know this has been a difficult year for many families and individuals across Clackmannanshire. Households are still feeling the impact of rising costs, and setting this budget has required careful and responsible decisions.

"The Council has agreed a £181.2m revenue budget for 2026/27, alongside a £54m capital investment programme. Our priority throughout has been to protect the services that people rely on every day - our schools, support for vulnerable families, adult social care, and the services that keep our communities safe and connected.

"We have taken the decision to increase Council Tax by 5.6%. That is not something we do lightly, but it allows us to maintain essential local services while continuing to invest in Clackmannanshire's future - including our new Wellbeing Hub and Lochies School and improvements to roads and community facilities.

"I want to thank residents for their continued engagement and our staff for their dedication and care. Together, we will continue working to ensure Clackmannanshire remains a place where people feel supported, valued and able to thrive."