Council tax rise of 7.3% proposed for Shetland

A council tax increase of 7.3% has been recommended for Shetland.

The proposal will go before the local authority's policy and resources committee on Thursday.

Under the suggested increase, a typical Band D household would expect to pay an extra £1.95 per week.

However, the final decision lies with the full council, which will meet next week to set its budget for the next financial year.

Council tax for the current financial year saw an increase of 10%.

That came after a council tax freeze in 2024/25.

The report states that a 7.3% increase for the coming year would generate the council an extra £921,000 of income.

In comparison, a council tax increase of 9.5% has been proposed for households in the Western Isles.

That is the biggest recommendation to be made public so far.

Last week, Scottish Borders Council proposed a rise of 8.5%.

The full Shetland Islands Council meeting is next Wednesday.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Chris Cope.