8.2% council tax increase approved in Fife as council budget set
The Labour administration's budget plan was approved 40 votes to 31 after almost three hours of debate
Fife Council has set its budget for 2025/26.
Proposals agreed will see an 8.2% council tax increase imposed across the Kingdom.
Based on a Band D property the council tax increase will be £113.58 from £1,385.18 in 2024/25 to £1,498.76 in 2025/26. For those paying their bill over 12 months the increase will be £9.47 per month.
It is being introduced as the authority worked to plug an over £5m budget gap.
The budget includes a £4m efficiency saving and £13m earmarked for new pool and leisure facilities in West Fife
Following the budget, Council Leader David Ross said: “We have to strike a balance between making savings, raising council tax and continuing essential investment in our services for local people.
“Fife’s health and social care partnership is facing huge financial challenges and urgent investment is needed alongside our partners NHS Fife. We have to make sure that those in most need have the right care and support.
“We are also continuing to invest in maintaining and improving Fife’s roads. An additional £9m will be invested over the next three years.
“The challenging financial landscape and the fact that we had to freeze council tax last year meant, this year, we were considering council tax increases of almost 10%. However, recognising the impact this would have on Fifers, with some careful financial management we have brought this down to 8.2% for this financial year with potential rises of 5% for the next two years.”
Councillor Ross continued: “We have had to make some tough choices and we’ll continue to make savings. Our ambitious 10 year capital plan which funds major projects and maintains assets including roads, schools and other buildings will continue to be reviewed as costs are still rising. We’ll have to cut back on some planned projects but overall we'll continue to invest over £870m over the next 10 years in the Kingdom's infrastructure.
"There’s no doubt that we are continuing to operate in a time of real financial uncertainty but we believe the budget we’ve set today strikes the best balance between making budget savings and increasing council tax to sustain and improve services over the next three years.”
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