TWO of Scotland's biggest local authorities have voted to increase council tax by almost 5%.
Edinburgh's SNP-Labour coalition motion passed on Thursday to bring in hikes of 4.79%, while Glasgow's SNP-administration saw its budget approved containing a rise of 4.64%.
Local authorities across Scotland can raise council tax by up to 4.84% this year.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: "Our budget proposals protect and, wherever possible, invest in the city's priorities – from our environment to education, community empowerment and participatory budgeting.
"We are also making sure Glasgow is ready to hit the ground running in meeting the climate challenge facing every community across the country and across the world."
READ MORE: SNP and Greens strike Glasgow City Council budget deal
The measures were said to be brought in amid "challenging circumstances" to prioritise frontline services and ensure the city is ready to respond to the climate emergency.
Delays to the announcement of the UK budget has seen the Scottish Government issue a one-year revenue and capital budget, rather than the usual three-year.
It leaves some potential for council budget changes to emerge both as the draft budget progresses through Holyrood and once the Chancellor confirms details of his on March 11.
Scotland's 32 local authorities will be agreeing their budgets over the coming weeks, ahead of the new financial year on April 1.
Adam McVey, Edinburgh council leader, said: "We've agreed a bold budget which protects the most vulnerable in society and guarantees a fairer quality of life for future generations.
READ MORE: Glasgow Council forced to call in debt collectors on councillors
"It prioritises those council services which work to help those who are most in need of our support - protecting our young people, our communities and our planet in the process.
"In the face of growth and a global climate emergency, we've outlined plans for the biggest investment ever to be made into new, sustainable and affordable homes in Edinburgh.
"The people of Edinburgh have told us they want their city to be sustainable, to be fair and for frontline services to be protected.
"That is what we are delivering with a budget which invests in the services our city needs."
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