COUNCIL taxpayers in Argyll and Bute will be hit with a six per cent increase on their bills in 2026/27 – if officers’ recommendations are agreed.
Officials have said that the rise is needed for the authority to set a balanced budget, with a gap most recently projected at over £13 million.
A six per cent increase would mean that a property in Band D would have an annual bill of £1,723. However, councillors could decide to increase bills by more or less.
Last year’s budget saw a 9.9 per cent council tax increase, after officers recommended that bills should go up by no more than 8.9 per cent.
A report on the budget will go to the council’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, February 19. The council will set its budget on Wednesday, February 25.
The document said: “The setting of council Tax should happen on the same day as the council sets its revenue budget as once all proposals are considered, council tax is the balancing figure.
“In order to get to a balanced budget, council will need to increase council tax to six per cent. The alternative to increasing council tax further is that council would need to fund the gap using reserves or other funds held, which would be a one-off fix,
“However, members need to be mindful of the significant gap in future years as well as the pressures facing the capital plan.”
A six per cent increase is also proposed for fees and charges for council services, which it is expected will generate an additional £440,000 worth of income.
Officials have also proposed an eight per cent increase to harbour fees, which would be ringfenced to fund asset management improvement and sustainability. It is estimated that this will add £748,000 of income.
