Shared heads would save £341k

Sharing of headteachers could save around £341,000 over the next five years, according to council officials.

The option would see a saving of £39,000 in the first year and £89,000 and £213,000 by years three and four of the five-year budget plan.

While several smaller rural schools currently operate with shared head teachers, if approved, the idea could be extended to some larger schools.

The council, now led by an SNP/ Labour joint administration, launched its public consultation on a range of savings and income generating options last Thursday aimed at closing a budget gap for around £1.5 million over the forthcoming financial year 2018/19.

The council needs to save a projected £24 million over the next five years, with £4.7 million of savings having been identified so far.

While compulsory redundancies are being ruled out, 70 per cent of the council’s budget is taken up by staffing costs and voluntary severance and redeployment could still be on the cards.

The budget options also assume a three per cent council tax increase which, if ruled out or reduced would mean other options for savings or income would have to emerge to fill the void.

The consultation will close on Monday, February 5 and feedback will be presented to councillors ahead of the council’s budget setting meeting on February 22.

Community meetings will be held tonight (Wednesday) at Raploch Community Campus, from 6.308.30pm, and Bannockburn High School, from 6.30-8pm, Wednesday; and at Callander Youth Project, from 6.30-8.30pm tomorrow (Thursday).