More families hit by council tax rise

ONE of Scotland’s biggest councils yesterday joined the ranks of local authorities raising council tax rates following a decade-long freeze.

City of Edinburgh Council joined East Renfrewshire, Highlands and Scottish Borders by agreeing a 3 per cent rise, while Aberdeenshire approved an increase of 2.5 per cent.

Seven councils have now increased bills following cuts to their budgets by the Scottish Government.

Midlothian and the Western Isles earlier raised rates by 3 per cent.

The changes will see homeowners in an average Band D property paying more than £30 a year extra from April.

Families in Bands E,F, G and H properties will face significant increases following the Government’s decision to increase council tax rates in these bands – before local authority changes. In Edinburgh, those living in Band F homes will see council taxes rise from £1,688 to £1,956.

Last night, Scottish Labour business manager James Kelly said: ‘Councils are being forced to make impossible decisions and the responsibility for these cuts lies with the SNP and the Greens.

‘By backing the SNP’s austerity Budget, the Greens have sold out communities across Scotland. Voters will not forget that.’

The council tax rises follow the SNP’s Budget and its plans to cut local government funding by more than £160million.

As well as raising council tax, local authorities are being forced to make cuts.

Edinburgh has said it will make £38million worth of savings next year.

Alasdair Rankin, convener of the finance and resources committee, said: ‘Despite an uncertain financial climate, we have set a balanced budget for Edinburgh.’

East Renfrewshire has disclosed that £7million of savings must be made.

Council leader Jim Fletcher said: ‘Agreeing to raise local council tax by 3 per cent, the first increase for a decade, was a particularly tough decision for councillors to take. We know, however, from our long-term financial planning that, if anything, the situation will worsen in the coming years.’

The rest of Scotland’s 32 councils will decide whether or not to raise council tax in the coming weeks. Labour-run Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and Fife are likely to opt for 3 per cent rises. But South Lanarkshire and Inverclyde, also led by Labour, have said they plan to keep bills frozen.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The decision on whether or not to increase, freeze or reduce council tax is a matter for local authorities.’