Residents ‘severely concerned’ by 10 per cent tax hike
HELENSBURGH residents are “severely concerned” by council tax rises which will see bills raised by 10 per cent this spring.
Members of Helensburgh Community Council expressed their worries about the plans during their last meeting on Thursday, February 29.
They are now are calling on Argyll and Bute counciillors to attend their March meeting to have an in-depth talk about their concerns surrounding the increase and the impact it will have on local residents.
One community councillor said: “We are severely concerned about the proposed rise and would like to invite councillors to discuss this at the next meeting.”
Responding to the worries voiced by the community council, Councillor Graham Hardie stated he was happy to talk over any issues.
He said: “I appreciate the concern of the Helensburgh Community Council about the council tax rise and look forward to engaging with them at a suitable time to fully explain this matter.”
The increase was confirmed at Argyll and Bute Council’s annual budget meeting on Thursday, February 22, despite First Minister Humza Yousaf’s promises that bills would be frozen across Scotland.
The rise also went against the recommendation of the council’s finance chief - who suggested a rise of just over six per cent.
Speaking at the annual budget meeting, council leader Robin Currie said: “This is the most difficult budget this council has ever faced.
“The word ‘challenging’ is all too often used, but this council’s task goes far beyond that.
“We have taken the bold step of confirming the need to increase council tax by 10 per cent as forecast, because without this, we would have no hope whatsoever of filling the massive £30 million hole in our capital investment programme.
“It is a choice we have made after very careful consideration, not just because of the financial position, but because of the impact on households.”
As reported in the March 7 issue of the Advertiser, the council wrote last week to the UK Government asking it to send any additional funding for Scotland from ‘Barnett formula’ consequentials in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Budget directly to local councils.
Mr Hunt confirmed that £48 million would be coming to Scottish local authorities in 202425.
Deputy first minister Shona Robison is understood to have invited the leaders of Scottish councils who decided to increase council tax to revisit their decision in the light of the additional funding.
Helensburgh Community Council’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 28 at 7pm in the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.
All community members are welcome to attend.