Council Tax 'Rise'

It's claimed council tax would have to rise by 60% if the budget deficit in Fife is to be financed through council tax alone, that's according to the SNP in Fife.

The local authority must save £77 million by 2018 - budget talks on Thursday are expected to reveal how Councillors plan to reach that target.

The Labour administration says no plans are in place to increase the council tax; however independent councillors have suggested a 9% rise could put £8 million into the coffers every year.

A recent survey revealed growing support for a slight increase if the money was tailored towards frontline services.

Councillor Douglas Chapman said:

"The last time Labour and the Lib Dems had control of the then Scottish Executive, council tax in Fife rose by 60% and people hated it. The figures received from Fife Council today confirms that if Fife Council were to try and balance the books using the council tax, then everyone would see their council tax rise by almost 60% again.

"The clear message is that people the length and breadth of Fife appreciate the council tax freeze introduced by the SNP as it is a real benefit, especially when family budgets are being hit hard by other rising costs or lower wages. If anything, it would those who are low paid or pensioners who would be hit hardest by any increase in council tax at this time. Even those on the modest Band D rating would see their council tax go from £1118 to £1714, a rise of £596 a year.

"I know some people, out with the SNP, have suggested that the council tax freeze commitment should be broken, but the council tax freeze in Fife is funded by the Scottish Government to the tune of £4.6 every year. So giving up on the freeze also means that Fife would have to find £4.6 million immediately to bridge that funding gap. That’s £4.6m that goes directly into services for Fife citizens and it would be a giant financial hole for Fife Council to fill.

"The SNP government are committed to maintaining the council tax freeze until the end of the current parliament in May 2016. It’s what people voted for when they voted SNP and it’s a promise that will be kept."