A COUNCIL which had been set to impose a 10% hike in council tax bills has now confirmed the charge will be frozen.
It comes after the formerly LibDem and Tory-run Argyll and Bute Council saw its administration change hands, with the majority SNP team now in charge.
Prior to the change, councillors in Argyll and Bute voted to increase the levy, despite Scottish First Minister having promised a nationwide freeze in the charge to help those struggling to cope amid the cost-of-living crisis.
New council leader Jim Lynch, SNP (below), said additional cash from the Government meant the authority was now able to both freeze the council tax and protect local services.
An additional £6.26 million is being made available to the local authority for agreeing to keep council tax bills at the same level as last year.
While payments had already been taken from residents at the higher rate, Lynch said bills for the remainder of 2024-25 would take this into account.
READ MORE: Scottish households to pay almost £800 less for council tax and water
Speaking after a special meeting where the freeze in council tax was confirmed, Lynch said: “We are now in a position to freeze council tax this year and also save local services from cuts.
“People need council services to live well in their communities. They also need day-to-day costs to be kept down wherever possible.
“Today’s decision passes on the benefits of this new funding to our communities – council tax is frozen and council services continue to be available.”
He added: “Updated council tax bills will be issued to households setting out payments with 0% increase on last year.
“Payments for the remainder of the year will be reduced to take account of payments already made at the higher rate set in February.”
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