FALKIRK has imposed Scotland's biggest council tax hike this year so far as elected members agreed to increase bills by 15.6%.
The SNP-run council has made the decision despite a plea from First Minister John Swinney for increases to be limited.
Swinney said that 10% increases were too high, but more than a third of councils have hiked rates by at least that amount.
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison also urged local authorities to avoid big increases in council tax as she gave them an extra £1 billion in the draft of the Scottish Budget.
The second highest hike was in Orkney, where residents face a 15% increase.
Falkirk has struggled to balance its books in recent years and has mooted closing multiple public facilities including the Grangemouth athletics stadium and other community halls.
A deal was eventually agreed last month to save the track and field venue - one of the few with a competition-standard running track - which will see ownership transferred to a new local trust.
However, other venues like the Falkirk Town Hall theatre have already been forced to close for good.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Highland agreed a 7% rise while Inverclyde voted on an 8.5% hike.
Glasgow residents will see a rise in their council tax bills of 7.5%, while bills will go up by 8.2% in Fife.
Several areas including North Lanarkshire, East Lothian and the Borders have opted for 10% increases in bills.
The lowest hike in the country so far is in South Lanarkshire, where the council has agreed a 6% increase.
