How high will it go?

COUNCIL Tax rates will be set today for the coming year — and a rise of at least 7.5 per cent is expected locally.

Councillors are meeting in Dumfries to thrash out their budget for 2026-7.

Their two main priorities are: findings savings to cover the £34.8 million funding gap; and also deciding how much to raise Council Tax for the region’s householders.

The proposals from the different political groups were released earlier this week and they range from a 6.25 per cent increase to 9.8 per cent extra.

The ruling SNP minority administration will be hoping to get theirs passed: they are pressing for a 7.5 per cent boost, which would generate £6.5 million more for council coffers.

That would mean that bills would go up to £1042.74 for Band A, through to £3832.05 for Band H homes, while the average council tax only bill for band D properties would be £1564.10.

Offering up a lower proposal are the Conservatives, at 6.25 per cent; while Labour are mooting 8.5 per cent; and the Novantae group is suggesting the largest rise, of 9.8 per cent, which would bring in £8.5 million more in income for the local authority.

It’s expected there will be several adjournments to today’s meeting as the elected members battle it out for the option with the most support.

They must have it decided and set by March 11, but it’s likely a final decision will be made by this afternoon.

Advisory notes for councillors say that each one per cent increase to the council tax level in Dumfries and Galloway generates around £874k per annum.

Meanwhile, it’s also noted that The Scottish Government has placed no freeze or cap on council tax increases for 2026/27, thus providing councils with discretion to set levels based on local requirements.