COUNCIL taxpayers in Argyll and Bute will face a 9.7 per cent increase in their bills next year – more than 50 per cent greater than officers were recommending.
The budget proposal by the council’s administration partnership of SNP, Labour, Green and some independent councillors has been agreed for the 2026/27 financial year.
Council officials had recommended that council tax would have to be set at six per cent to enable the authority to set a balanced budget.
Several savings options proposed by the authority’s officers were rejected as part of the proposal, including a further five per cent reduction in funding for liveArgyll leisure trust, with an extra £154,000 to be given instead.
The options of removing council involvement in public toilets, a 15 per cent increase in cremation charges, and the removal of environmental wardens were also not taken.
The budget was decided at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, February 25.
A package of £46.2 million of funding for strategic priorities was also confirmed, including a total of £24m over two years towards local roads.
Presenting the budget motion, council leader Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) said: “This administration has listened to what people have told us is important to them and our budget reflects that.
“The reason for any budget must be the people and communities of Argyll and Bute. We as councillors have to balance the representations from communities aligning with the council’s agreed priorities.
“All proposals simply have to be worked through to evaluate how they might be funded. Developing a budget is a responsibility and a harsh reality which this administration takes seriously.
“It is probably the first thing that everybody looks at – the level of council tax. We are proposing a 9.7 per cent increase, and a 10 per cent increase on long term empty homes and second homes.
“The alternative was that all savings options would be taken, including public toilets, environmental wardens, street sweeping and more, including support for events and festivals. Council tax increases are saving these and more.
“These are decisions that are easy to criticise, but hard to take and even harder to make. The administration has faced up to these with courage.”
Seconding the budget, Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) added: “These are difficult and trying time for councils across Scotland, with increasing costs, demands and expectations, combined with the financial situation that means we are facing a budget situation more difficult than anything before.
“The headline council tax figure will no doubt dominate the debate, so let me be clear.
“This administration has saved the services that are vital to our communities, and we want to be transparent and put everything on the table as early as possible, so councillors can assess the options.
“This has led to a wide range of options for council services, and I am proud to say we have saved the services most vital to our communities.”
