Council Tax in Aberdeenshire to rise by 3%
The increase will come into force from April
Council Tax in Aberdeenshire will rise by 3% from April, after councillors agreed the move today.
The local authority says it aknowledges the "impact of the increased cost of living on families and communities across Aberdeenshire."
It means that a Band D property will rise by around £3.90 per month, according to the council.
Council Leader, Cllr Andy Kille said:
“We are reminded on a daily basis how difficult it is for many in our communities, with the rising costs of living. We know and appreciate that residents are having to adjust their spending in order to cover the basics.
“As a council, we’re also hit by rising costs – the cost of all our services is rising, way beyond anything we can cope with within our current funding settlement. Indeed, rises to energy costs alone are expected to be in the region of £3.5million next year.
"We are facing extreme pressure across all our budgets and having to prioritise our most critical services.”
Council officers say they are currently working out the quickest and easiest way to provide people with the recently announced cost of living payments (a £150 refund to people in property bands A-D).
Aberdeenshire Council also agreed to limit an increase to rent charges to 1.5% from April 1 this year to take account of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living for tenants.