Shock 10 per cent Perth and Kinross council tax rise could be in the pipeline

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A shock 10 per cent council tax rise for Perth and Kinross residents has been put forward to fund crucial health, social care, and education services.SNP council leader Grant Laing said the proposal highlights the serious funding challenges facing the local authority as it tries to manage rising demands and increasing costs.But PKC Labour councillor Alasdair Bailey insisted talk of double digit council tax rises will not be necessary if the Scottish Government makes use of UK Government funding announced in the recent Westminster budget.

The Holyrood government is to set out its spending plans for 2025/26 next week.In February this year PKC councillors voted through a 2024/25 Council Tax freeze – described by PKC Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett this week as “insane” – combined with planned 4.9 per cent increases in 2025/26 and 2026/27.PKC councillors are now to be asked to agree that planning for February’s budget meeting should be based on an assumed Council Tax rise of 10 per cent for 2025/26, and indicative rises of 10 per cent for 2026/27 and six per cent for 2027/28.PKC pointed out that it recognises increasing demands on public services, and in particular the growing number of adults who need more complex care packages, and increases in primary school pupils with additional support needs - and by planning over three years will provide stability and predictability in budget planning, allowing more effective allocation of resources.Councillor Laing, said: “It’s important to emphasise that next week’s decision provides a direction of travel as council officers and elected members prepare for next year’s budget.“The final decision on Council Tax levels won’t be made until the budget is set in February.“What