Highland Council Conservatives plot budget changes to reduce council tax hike from 7% down to 3% but the proposed details were scant while the Greens ‘hail influence’ on securing £500k investment
Two further political groups – the Conservative and the Greens – have followed the Liberal Democrats in issuing their stance on Highland Council’s £818 million budget.
The Conservatives issued a statement last evening claiming to have found a way to keep the council tax hike at three per cent but details were scant about how that would be funded.
The Tories said it was a “fully costed budget amendment that prioritises support for families, investment in local businesses, protection of the Highlands’ world-renowned countryside, and smarter spending—without cutting frontline services”.
It added: “The Conservative Group is also proposing to limit the Council Tax increase to just three per cent —the lowest in Scotland, in stark contrast to the SNP-Independent administration’s plan to hike Council Tax by seven per cent”.
“Another major part of the amendment is a focus on Highland children, with free school meals for all primary pupils and a freeze on secondary school meal prices”.
Councillor Ruraidh Stewart, the Conservative leader in the council said the proposed council tax hike is coming “at a time when households are already struggling with rising costs.
“Our amendment delivers a fully funded and responsible alternative—limiting the Council Tax rise to just three per cent while protecting vital front-line services. The residents of Highland already have a ‘rural premium’ of between 10-40 per cent due to higher fuel bills, transportation costs, and food prices.
“Residents in our rural communities pay significantly more for everyday essentials than those in urban areas. A seven per cent rise in Council Tax would hit our communities even harder than taxpayers elsewhere in Scotland.”
Another major part of the amendment is a focus on Highland children, with free school meals for all primary pupils and a freeze on secondary school meal prices.
While the Greens announced that they would back the administration budget “guaranteeing its passage” as the group “hailed influence on the budget tilted towards a Greener Agenda”.
Inverness West Cllr Ryan MacKintosh said “I welcome that this year’s budget has a greener agenda due to the influence and working diplomacy the Green group have with the administration. Although it is far from perfect, it is one in which we are prepared to support.”
Aird and Loch Ness Cllr Chris Balance said “Greens negotiate to make a difference. We leave ‘yah boo’ politics to others. The Repair the Highland Fund will provide cash for Repair cafes and other waste reduction initiatives across the Highlands.
“Repair cafes help the environment, help people save money and learn new skills, and to meet people. They build community. Now is the time to build them”.
