END the council tax cap to help councils cope with Covid costs, the Scottish Government is urged.
Local government body Cosla makes the ask as it warns communities face "further cuts to services" unless almost £1.5 billion of additional cash can be found.
The local tax was frozen in Scotland for several years, but this has now come to an end and councils have limited rate-varying powers.
In 2019-20, the average increase for Scotland was 3.6%, which compares with 4.7% in England and 6.6% in Wales.
For 2020-21, a 4.84% cash terms cap was agreed, putting £135million into the coffers of local authorities.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes will deliver this year's Scottish Budget on January 28 and Cosla is calling for her to ensure there is "no cap on council tax".
The body also wants ministers to fully fund all of their own commitments delivered through local authorities, including the flagship policy of expanded childcare provision.
It's also seeking additional Covid-19 funding and cash for social care costs.
It says £1.5bn is needed for revenue budgets to ensure funding is "fair", while £637m is needed for capital projects, marking a major increase of £330m on the current financial year.
The calls come as income from cultural attractions and events, sports facilities and even parking charges remains severely restricted and "unlikely to recover until much later" in the next financial year.
Councillor Alison Evison, says the sector's role "cannot be underestimated any more", adding: "The Covid pandemic has shown exactly how much the public rely on us as leaders and as providers of vital services."
Hitting out at the funding settlement from Holyrood in recent years, she went on: "On top of this, this year we have had to contend with Covid-19 which has seen the inequality in our society grow.
"Our ability to recover from this and continue to deliver for Scotland’s communities depends on a change of emphasis from Scottish Government that provides fair funding for council services.
"If we are to truly recover from this pandemic then local authorities must receive a fair settlement."
While Forbes will present her Budget this month, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak will not reveal his until March 3. This means Forbes and her team will have to use estimates to draw up their plan in time for full parliamentary scrutiny, with potential adjustments to follow.
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