End to Scottish council tax freeze welcomed by Falkirk leader

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The leader of Falkirk Council has welcomed the news that council tax will not be frozen this year, leaving local authorities free to make their own decisions.

SNP council leader Cecil Meiklejohn gave a cautious welcome to today's budget statement by the SNP finance minister, Shona Robison, who promised it would provide "a record level of investment in local government".

Earlier this year, Falkirk Council chiefs warned that a council tax rise of at least 10-15 per cent was just one of the measures needed to stop it "hitting a brick wall" financially. Read more: Falkirk could lose more than £8 million with National Insurance hikes, says council leader But the Cabinet Secretary made clear that she believes the £15bn she is offering local authorities means there would be “no reason for large increases in council tax next year”.Ms Robison told the Scottish Parliament that her budget would also bring record investment in the NHS, promising £2 billion to reduce waiting lists and make it easier for people to see their GP.Ms Robison said: “In 2025-26, the Scottish Government will increase local authority funding by more than £1 billion.“It will take their total funding to over £15 billion, including £289 million to give real terms protection to the general revenue grant.”Reacting to the budget, Cllr Meiklejohn said: "I am pleased to see that there is no council tax freeze, and the headline increase in funding for local government and health and social care is very welcome."However, as ever until we know the detail of the announcements particularly around local government, we will not know what that means for Falkirk."The proposed budget - which will need support from at least one other party to get through parliament -