PLANS to move Alloa police station to Kilncraigs have been "delayed", putting a further £50,000 hole in the council's finances.

The hold up was revealed when Councillor Kenny Earle pressed council officers on the matter during the sitting of the Place Committee last week.

Papers suggested that some of the savings unlikely to be achieved this year include a "service charge for cost sharing agreement for part of Kilncraigs".

Council officers confirmed last Thursday, September 12, this related to plans for the police force to co-locate at the building, an idea that was first floated in the public arena last summer.

Indeed, feedback from a major consultation was collated by the public bodies around a year ago. Many had concerns over parking, but a significant number felt the proposal would benefit locals through enhanced collaborative working.

Commentary from accountancy in local authority documents last week said the council will miss out on the budgeted £50,000 saving due to "delayed implementation" and that it "will be implemented part way through 2020-21".

The chamber was also told that a further council paper would provide more detail into the matter.

When asked about the nature of the postponement, Chief Inspector Drew Sinclair, area commander for Clackmannanshire, said it was about getting it right.

He added: "The scale and complexity of the proposal, coupled with alignment to Police Scotland funding and governance processes, has resulted in a delay of the implementation.

"Both organisations wish to ensure, subject to Scottish Police Authority and Clackmannanshire Council approvals, that the objectives of the proposal are fully achieved and all aspects are properly reviewed and planned for."

Back in the council chamber officers of the local authority added negotiations were ongoing.

A spokeswoman for the local authority added: "Clackmannanshire Council and Police Scotland continue to explore the possibility of co-locating police operations in Clackmannanshire at Kilncraigs, Alloa.

"The aim of the proposal is to enhance the extensive partnership working which is already in place between the two organisations and deliver public services which meet the needs of our local communities in a more integrated way."