Lib Dems call for maximum increase on council tax

The Liberal Democrats at Perth and Kinross Council have called on council tax to be increased by the maximum allowed across the region.

Budget proposals put forward by officers ahead of this week’s budget meeting are based on a four per cent rise.

But Lib Dem group leader Cllr Peter Barrett reckons the tax should go up 4.84 per cent, as other councils have done.

He said:“The SNP’s deal with the Greens still leaves councils £300 million short of what we needed protect essential services.

“In these circumstances the Scottish Liberal Democrats are prepared to use the council tax powers we have to mitigate the worst impact of the cuts.

“We will also set provisional increases of this order for the second and third year of the budget.

“This still does not make up the severe shortfall imposed by the SNP and Greens.”

Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey said: “Fortunately the improved settlement announced by the Scottish Government last week means there is room to avoid taking many of the most controversial of reductions outlined in those meeting papers.

“I’m ready to work with councillors across the political spectrum on Friday who also wish to deliver the best we can for local people with the funding we have available.

“Let us not forget though that this budget settlement does not, in any way, allow us to start to reverse the effects of austerity on our most needy.

“Many of the most divisive cuts were taken here in years gone by and therefore we need a financial settlement that allows us to start restoring services if we’re to deliver what local people expect across areas like health and social care, education, potholes, gritting, parks and everything else that they rightly rely on their council for.”