INNOVATIVE "transformation zones" are to be established in the Wee County by the council, starting in Alloa.

The local authority is looking to improve performance in the economy with a number of opportunities arising from the future development of a wellbeing campus – which is to replace the closed Leisure Bowl – and the city deal.

The vision is to drive forward a range of project in the transformation zone to develop a working model, which would then move out of Alloa to other pars of Clackmannanshire.

Also underpinning the transformation zone in Alloa will be investment in the learning estate as well as asset management, including use of vacant and derelict land to benefit residents and communities.

The transformation zones were approved by councillors last Thursday, June 24, as part of an update on the local authority's Be the Future programme.

Following the meeting, council leader Ellen Forson said: "The transformation zones are the next steps in our innovative Be the Future programme.

"Through a range of projects in these zones, we are aiming to achieve improved economic performance with more and better paid jobs and development opportunities as well as sustainable health and social care to improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

"We have been laying the foundations for Be the Future over the past few months.

"The significant progress detailed in today's paper means we can start putting the building blocks in place for the programme which will unlock huge potential for Clackmannanshire, it's people and it's communities."

Additional investment opportunities for the zones could also come though the UK Government's Levelling-Up Fund and other major investment programmes.

Before projects can go ahead, however, the council is looking to undertake a "rapid scoping assessment" with the Scottish Futures Trust to create a development framework for the transformation zones.

This will be carried out in consultation with citizens, communities and businesses and work is already underway.

The aim is to deliver the scoping exercise quickly so that the outcome can be considered within the current financial year.

The development of an Alloa South East Action Plan, which is also part of the transformation zone, will include plans to support the Wimpy Park Community Group to develop upgrades to community parks in the Hutton Park, Gaberston and Hawkhill areas as well.