YOUNG people in the Wee County will have the chance to shape next year's council budget, according to Clackmannanshire Youth Council.

Huw Sherrard, vice chair of the group and member of Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), said they will consult on the planning and consultation process when it comes to setting the budget for 2018-19.

The aspiring politician hailed the move, which comes after the office of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland blasted the council last month for not considering the views of children when it came to slashing music tuition this year.

Huw, from Fishcross, said: “I think it’s a very good step. With the last budget the most we could do is encourage young people to fill in the online consultation.

“We couldn’t see any of what they put forward so we had to use personal word of mouth testimonies from young people.

“However, I think if we have more of an active role in the planning process – that would be very positive, just to make sure young people are included.”

And while matters like council budgets are admittedly not the most exciting things for young people, the 17-year-old said that music tuition, community centres and the availability of sports facilities and opportunities were areas they did care about.

With 2018 marking the Year of Young People, Huw felt it was “a real shame” that services children and adolescents use are “being hit so hard”.

Looking at the bigger picture, Huw highlighted how the Wee County’s population is projected to get older and older on average, with more and more relying on services especially in health and social care.

He added: “Cutting things that are attractive to young families and young people – it’s not going to be the best for our communities and economy, because we are not going to be able to recover.”

Huw acknowledges councillors had difficult decisions to make and it will not be any easier next time around.

At best, according to recent projections, the council will be £9.5million short, but the most likely scenario is that elected members and officers will need to find another £13m worth of cuts next year.

Huw does not think youngsters are “angry” over the cuts, but since not everyone is draw to the academic side of school, he believes everything should be done to make sure all students can fulfil their potential.

He added: “People from the most impoverished backgrounds will still get the concessionary rates.

“I think it’s the people who don’t do SQA exams, but do music as a hobby, or something they are planning to get a qualification with, that are really hit.

“They are paying more money for a lower quality music lesson.

“They are all in groups now and from the music tutors I’ve spoken to, they really think that it’s hit the quality of their teaching.

“In some cases, it’s cheaper to do it privately now through the music tutors outside school than in our schools.”