Council tax freeze announced a week ahead of council budget setting

ANGUS residents will enjoy a council tax freeze in April, it has been revealed.

Just over a week ahead of Angus Council setting its budget for 2021/22, the ruling Conservative/ Independent administration has said it will be backing acceptance of a Scottish Government cash offer of £1.727 million to keep rates at the current level.

Council finance convener, Councillor Angus MacMillan Douglas said: “The administration has always tried to keep council tax low, as it is a hard tax for many families to pay.

“We are pleased this freeze will keep our council tax as the second lowest in mainland Scotland.

“We are particularly pleased to give this relief to taxpayers at a time when many people are suffering financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The move would see the band D rate remain at £1,206.54.

Councillors will meet on March 4 to set the budget.

The ruling group has also already announced it plans to back the continued suspension of off-street parking charges as part of its spending proposals.

It has said it will unanimously back a move to keep parking free until the current council term ends in May 2022.

A planned £620,000 frontline investment in the council’s children and families social work service has also been revealed.

The service has come under severe pressure during the “exceptionally challenging” coronavirus crisis. The extra money will help meet the need of a long-term increase in referrals for support, advice, assistance and protection.

Children and learning convener, Councillor Derek Wann said: “These new monies will fund a permanent increase in frontline social work capacity and see the creation of additional practice support posts to enable the continued development of practice locally.

“This builds on our investment over the last year to fund temporary additional capacity as part of our local Covid-19 response.”

Vice-convener, Councillor Lois Speed said: “I am proud that central to the proposed investment is a £140,000 uplift in funding to support the expansion of Angus Council’s children with disabilities team.

“This reflects our continued commitment to ensure children and families who need it can access the specialist advice and support provided by our team.”