SEVERAL Scottish local authorities have confirmed above-inflation increases in council tax next year, as council leaders said they are necessary to maintain essential public services
Orkney and Midlothian are the latest councils to announce increases in 25/26. Bills will also rise by 8.2% in Fife, 7.5% in Glasgow, and 10% in East Lothian.
Other councils are expected to impose similar increases, with a 10% rise being mooted in North Lanarkshire.
Residents in the Edinburgh will also see bills go up by 8% next year.
It comes after 11th-hour negotiations led to a deal between the Labour administration and the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups.
Here are the new annual charges per property band for Edinburgh residents: (£)
- A 1021.45
- B 1191.68
- C 1361.93
- D 1532.14
- E 2011.56
- F 2486.63
- G 2991.88
- H 3742.91
Presenting the budget, Labour councillor Mandy Watt said: “This administration has put forward a balanced budget that prioritises areas that residents say they care about, while staying true to the council’s core commitment of tackling poverty and climate change.”
Alex Staniforth, the group’s finance spokesperson, said: “The Green budget this year suggested radical new ways of investing in social housing, saw increased spending on climate and poverty initiatives, and proposed actions to make the city safer for everyone.
“But unfortunately Edinburgh’s Labour administration have once again bowed to their unofficial coalition partners in the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties, and passed a timid budget devoid of ideas.
“This is a missed opportunity for the people of Edinburgh who – facing a much-needed council tax increase – will expect to see positive changes to the city in return.
“Green proposals to improve accessibility, to build more public toilets, and to secure the future of Gorgie Farm, could all have been accepted if the Labour administration was not so focused on what is best for their own positions rather than the wellbeing of the people they were elected to help.”
