Forth Valley's three councils to work more closely together
Getty ImagesThe Forth Valley's three local authorities are to work together in areas such as roads and housing to save money and protect services.
Falkirk councillors approved a collaboration with Clackmannanshire in November.
Since then Stirling Council has also agreed to join and the three authorities are in the early stages of several projects.
Falkirk Council heard, at their final meeting before the summer recess, progress was being made in areas including procurement of IT for education, and emergency planning.
Kenneth Lawrie, the chief executive of Falkirk Council, welcomed Stirling as a new partner.
He said: "It gives us a stronger basis for collaboration."
Lawrie added there was "a lot of enthusiasm, interest and hard work" between the three local authorities.
At the moment there is little detail on what the collaboration will mean for jobs.
Lawrie accepted there would "clearly be concern across the workforce" about efficiencies, but added it might be easier to protect jobs through the collaboration.
The Scottish government has said it wants to see more partnership working for public bodies.
So far the Forth Valley initiative has been given £2m Invest to Save funding, although more has been applied for.
Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn, said: "Quite simply, if we are to ensure high quality, sustainable services into the future we must be prepared to do things differently and do them together.
"It's ambitious, it's complex and it will take time but it is necessary."