Tories warn of council tax hike to come

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kaiya.marjoribanks@ trinitymirror.com Tories this week warned Stirling Council householders in the higher council tax bands to brace themselves for higher charges.

Changes announced by the Scottish Government aimed at raising extra cash to boost educational attainment come into force in April.

It is estimated that out of the 35,000 households in Stirling Council area more than 15,000 will have to pay more as a result of the adjustment.

People living in band E properties will pay an additional £105.34 per year, while those in band F face a £222.64 increase in their charge. Band G households will see their levy rise by £350.64 and for band H homes the charge goes up 22.5 per cent to £538.65.

Deputy leader of the Conservatives on Stirling Council Martin Earl said:“Not only are these increases grossly unfair but the Scottish Government are imposing their views on a local tax which should be decided by councils.

“Any increases to council tax should be fair and proportionate and councils should be accountable for them.”

Tory group leader Neil Benny, added: “The Scottish Government is forcing these unfair increases upon councils and there is nothing we can do to stop them.

“Our stewardship of the council’s finances has put us in a strong position. We do not need to raise taxes.

“This is nothing but an SNP class war to bolster support for independence and a bail-out for negligent SNPcontrolled councils who have mismanaged their finances.”

The council’s SNP finance spokesman Gerry McLaughlan said Councillor Benny’s comments were“laughable”, adding:“This is the same person who as finance convener has allowed the social care budget to overspend so badly that at least £2.5m has had to be taken out of our reserves.

“That’s nearly a third of the council`s reserves going in one year to cover their incompetence.”

He added:“With regard to the tax increase in bands E and above, people are being asked to pay a bit more this year.

“However, I would ask them to remember that they have also benefited the most for the years that the SNP has funded a council tax freeze.

“Importantly there are increased safeguards for families and those who may be on a fixed income so the vulnerable in these tax bands are being protected.”