Council tax forecast to rise by three per cent in Renfrewshire as elected members prepare to discuss spending plans for coming year
dailyrecord.co.ukPeople across Renfrewshire are braced for a three per cent hike in council tax, a source has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).The anticipated increase is set to be discussed by councillors tomorrow morning when the SNP administration puts forward its budget proposals.Earlier this week, it emerged the council is facing a black hole of between £25million and £58m over the coming years due to "permanent cost impacts" from the Coronavirus pandemic.In a gloomy forecast, officers warned the local authority is facing "hugely challenging" financial circumstances following the outbreak.Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire.
Sign up to our newsletters here.Council umbrella group COSLA had already warned large tax rises were likely after leaders across the country criticised a £371m real terms funding cut in the Scottish Government's draft budget.Most Scottish councils have already imposed a hike and Renfrewshire now looks highly likely to follow suit.A three per cent rise would be mean the Band D tax would go up from £1,315.42 to £1,354.88 per year.However, many people will be able to breathe a small sigh of relief as a £150 rebate from the Scottish Government for those in bands A to D or in receipt of council tax reduction will soften the blow.The rebate has been brought in to help people deal with an upcoming rise in energy costs.But given council tax bandings are not an accurate indication of a household's wealth, scores of families are still likely to feel the pinch amid a cost-of-living crisis.Independent councillor Andy Doig said he is fully expecting a hike in council tax but insisted it is high time for an overhaul in the way local government is funded.He said: "I think it'll be made
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