Stirling Council has announced that the Wallace Monument’s Hogmanay fireworks won’t take Stirling into the new year.
The fireworks display was called off “due to the unprecedented financial challenge facing the Council, a situation mirrored at local authorities across Scotland.”
The Council has warned of its financial struggles before, with a £13 million budget shortfall expected next year. However, the Council has managed to save £6 million over the current financial year.
Stirling Council has launched a ‘Big Conversation‘, aimed at having a dialogue over how to balance the budget in the future.
Chris Kane, the leader of Stirling Council, said: “Like all Scottish Councils, we are under severe financial pressure despite making year-on-year savings, and the Scottish Government’s recent proposed freeze on Council Tax has really put the funding issues facing local government in the national spotlight once again.
“We must continue this difficult conversation with our communities about how we plug this budget gap and continue delivering the services that people value the most.”
Other festive events are set to be announced soon, and details can be found on the Your Stirling website.
Stirling Council was contacted for further comment, but has not yet responded.
Featured Image Credit: Stirling Council
News Editor 2023/24 at Brig Newspaper. Former Chief Sub-Editor 2022/23.
MSc International Journalism student at the University of Stirling.
