Inverclyde residents are bracing themselves for a 7.9 per cent hike in council tax in the upcoming financial year – if the recommendation passes at this week’s budget meeting.
The potential rise, put forward by the members budget working group, will be discussed on Thursday as elected members meet to pore over spending plans for 2026/27.
If the change is given the green light by elected members, it would mean the Band D charge – used as a general measure – will jump from £1,551.30 to £1,673.85 for 2026/27, representing an extra £122.55 annually.
They will also be asked to approve a list of savings, with roughly 26 full-time equivalent jobs set to go, and consider a further indicative increase of 7.9 per cent for 2027/28.
However, the local authority has said the proposals would “avoid the worst” of the suggested cuts that were included in a recent public consultation.
Of those set out in the exercise, 14 options would be taken forward – such as stopping the home link workers service and closing the I Youth Zone building in Greenock – featuring a total saving of £1.575m over 2026/27 and 2027/28.
Council leader Stephen McCabe said: “We have listened to feedback from residents, staff and partner organisations during the recent public consultation and taken those into account when developing the budget.
“If approved by councillors at the special council meeting on [Thursday,] March 5, these budget proposals would avoid the worst of the savings options that were put forward.
“In order to do that and to fulfil our obligation to deliver a balanced budget, we will have to raise council tax and increase fees and charges.
“It becomes more difficult each year for councils to cope with increasing demand for services without fairer and more sustainable funding from the Scottish Government.
“It means we are left with no option but to consider difficult decisions.”
A series of spending pledges will also be considered, focusing on areas such as the regeneration of Port Glasgow town centre, road improvements and the school estate.
The special meeting at the Municipal Buildings in Greenock is expected to start at 4pm on Thursday.
