Council tax in Perth and Kinross to rise by 8.9%
GoogleCouncillors in Perth and Kinross have voted to increase council tax by 8.9% at the local authority's annual budget meeting.
It means the average Band D property will pay £1,673.84 a year, up from £1,537.04.
The budget also includes an additional £15m investment to improve local roads, bridges and pavements.
Falkirk Council and Dundee City Council also set increases of 8.77% and 7.75% respectively.
The average Band D property in Falkirk will now pay £1,715.09, up from £1,576.77.
An average Band D property in Dundee will pay £1,729.75 , up from £1,605.34
Councillors in Angus approved a 9.38% increase in council tax earlier this week.
Perth and Kinross SNP council leader Eric Drysdale said it was "one of the most challenging budget cycles" and the current financial pressures are "the highest they have ever been".
Perth and Kinross councillors voted by 22 votes to 13, with five abstentions, to support an 8.9% rise at their meeting on Wednesday.
The SNP administration, Lib Dem councillors, and former SNP leader Grant Laing – now sitting as an Independent – supported the SNP motion.
The 12 Conservative councillors and former Conservative Andy Chan – now sitting as an Independent – voted for the Conservative budget proposals.
The four remaining Independent councillors and Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey abstained from the final revenue budget vote, having supported the Independent proposal, which included a 6.5% council tax increase.
Drysdale told the meeting: "Last year, we set a provisional rise of 9.5% for 2026/27.
"Today, we can confirm that we are instead putting forward an 8.9% increase.
"Lower than planned, and only achievable because we have scrutinised every line of spending and targeted funding where it matters most."
Drydale said the increase was "significant", adding that "we don't pretend otherwise."
He said: "Without it, we would need to make further significant reductions to services people rely on every day."
Drysdale said that the additional £15m in roads, bridges and pavements was "the largest ever level of investment this council has made ."
The council's sole Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey praised the SNP for "finally" providing "vision, clarity and purpose" in its budget but accused the administration of putting "potholes before poverty."
He said: "£15m could build up to 100 new housing units in our area. We'd collect rent on those and could then build more houses.
"Instead, we're borrowing money and putting it into potholes."
The SNP motion incorporated a number of Lib Dem amendments including £100,000 for a multi-use games area in Auchterarder and £150,000 for the maintenance of play parks.
Conservative group leader John Duff – whose group tabled a 6.95% council tax increase said: "The SNP budget is one of tax and spend.
"A massive 8.9% on the council tax after a 9.5% rise last year."
GoogleIn Falkirk, SNP, Labour and Independent councillors agreed a budget that council leader Cecil Meiklejohn, said would "protect key services and invest in communities".
Members agreed that £800,000 should be used to create a "Clean and Green team" to tackle litter hotspots across the district, an issue raised by the public during budget consultations.
The budget will also give an additional £1.3m for health and social care to support Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, in response to an increase in demand for services.
There will also be increases to Falkirk Council fees and charges, including bereavement services which will rise by 12.5%, as agreed at a meeting in November.
Following the vote, Provost Robert Bissett said: "It is quite remarkable that we've managed to have the spirit of co-operation across the chamber and we hope that continues."
Additional funding
In Dundee, the Labour group had put forward a council tax increase of 7.5%, whereas the Liberal Democrat group proposed 4.95%.
Proposals previously mooted by officers to close school pools were not adopted into the SNP administration's budget.
Under the approved proposals, Broughty Castle will benefit from additional funding.
The attraction has faced an uncertain future ever since proposals to close it first emerged in March 2024.
Leisure and Culture Dundee will receive £100,000 over the next two financial years to support the continued opening of the castle on a reduced-hours basis for three years.
Speaking during the meeting, SNP councillor Lynne Short said: "As a council tax payer, it's good to see that it's not as large as the council tax rises for our neighbouring local authorities."