8.5% rise agreed in Council Tax

COUNCIL Tax bills will go up by 8.5 per cent in April for households in the region. Councillors yesterday voted for the increase for the 2026-7 year, which will add between £82 and £302 onto residents’ bills. They had four different options to choose from, put forward by the political parties and, after three rounds of voting, the Labour budget, which included the 8.5 per cent figure, was passed. It beat the SNP administration’s proposals by a narrow 16 votes to 15. However, the Conservative councillors all chose to abstain from supporting either party’s proposals. The result means the current leadership of the council is now in doubt and talks and political manoeuvres are set to take place over the coming days to determine who will take power next. Earlier in the meeting Labour group leader Carolyne Wilson had introduced their plans, saying: “We have made difficult decisions to protect as many services and jobs as possible. “We could have opted for a lower increase to Council Tax but that would have meant over £3.5m cuts to council services and jobs. “We tried to protect essential services as much as possible. “We do believe this is a good budget for Dumfries and Galloway.” Within their budget are proposals for reinstating bins to lay-bys, a playpark fund and more cash for poverty work. There’ll be 20 per cent less funding for both Citizens Advice and festivals and events; reduced opening hours for museums; a cut in the number of council offices; an increase in burial fees and secondary school meal prices, as well as less money for management. Mrs Wilson said: “We have made it clear it’s unacceptable for more managers when we’re having to make cuts.”