Council tax rise of 7% proposed for Highland
Highland Council has proposed raising council tax by 7%.Annual bills for an average band D property would be £1,527.09 if the increase is approved by councillors at a meeting on 6 March.The local authority said 2% of all council tax raised would be invested in schools and improving roads.Convener Bill Lobban said the council was proposing a three-year budget plan that would lead to financial security for the authority.
Council tax levels were frozen last year.Under its plan, Highland Council said it would spend £2m to fund an increase in numbers of teachers.It has also proposed creating a £6m fund to expand its bus services.Earlier this month, the local authority completed a deal to take over an Inverness-based company that provides a significant number of its school buses.The local authority said buying D&E Coaches would reduce its school transport costs, and also help in its efforts to improve local bus services.The council spends about £25m a year on school and public transport provision.Also included in Highland's budget plan is a £500,000 fund to support community-based recycling schemes.
Council leader Raymond Bremner said the proposed investment programme would create jobs and economic prosperity across the region.Mr Lobban added: "These budget proposals underline our steadfast journey towards our objective of financial sustainability. "They would also ensure Highland Council will not require to use reserves to balance its budget and therefore is taking a major step on its pathway to financial security, which will be of great reassurance to our 10,000 employees."
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