STIRLING Council is calling on members of the creative community to get involved in consultations to help guide future arts and cultural spending.

The decision follows agreement at a meet of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee for a complete review on how best to support the area's arts sector.

The council says it is currently investing more than �1 million a year in the arts and culture, but needs to find �24 million in savings, due to cuts in the money Stirling gets from government, this means there have been reductions in the culture budget. As a result the council says that it wants to make sure that the money it invests brings the 'maximum benefits'.

The News previously reported of how Stirling's art culture was dealt a major blow as the council confirmed budget cuts at a special meeting in February.

They announced The Changing Room gallery, situated within the Tolbooth, was to close as part of a range of cuts aimed at saving �9 million for 2013/14.

Alongside this, Artlink Central, an arts agency working across Forth Valley, was given a 100% cut in cultural grant funding and the popular macrobert arts centre near Bridge of Allan, was given a funding cut of nearly �15,000.

They say this review aims to identify better, smarter ways of working with the arts and cultural sector and also identify how to make efficiency savings, allowing as much money as possible to go where it is most needed.

Stirling Council's Convener of Community Planning and Regeneration Councillor Corrie McChord said: "The arts and culture are of enormous value to Stirling, its people and economy and we want to do all we can to ensure they have firm foundations on which to flourish. Our review will make sure that we make the best possible use of the money we have available during these harsh financial times.

"We will consult with key stakeholders from area's arts and cultural sector and with organisations at a regional and national level. But we would like as many people as possible who have an interest in our artistic and cultural life to get involved and offer their views.

"One of our central aims is to ensure that we make the best possible use of the opportunities that will be presented by the 2014 Year of Homecoming and the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn to provide a showcase for Stirling's artistic and cultural excellence.

"In this way we hope to help provide all those involved in the sector with a fantastic showcase for their talents and the chance to achieve real and lasting benefits." Creative Stirling CIC Director Alasdair Gammack said: "It's essential for the creative sector and local authorities to work together to build a sustainable future for the arts. This review will allow Stirling Council to get a real understanding of the best way forward and to develop new approaches making the best use of its available resources." The review, which will be headed by some of Scotland's leading independent experts, will look at how the council supports the arts, and the types of arts and cultural services it provides directly.

It will then go on to recommend how these can be done better and more efficiently, saving money while providing a strong and sustainable future for the arts and culture.

To get involved with the consultation contact Deborah Murray at murrayde@stirling.gov.uk