Council tax increase
Inverclyde Council will increase council tax by three per cent in 2018/19.
The decision was made at the council meeting today (22 February 2018) now means Inverclyde 'band D' council tax will be set at £1,233.94.
Inverclyde Council leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “The Council has taken the unusual step of separating its council tax and budget setting decisions this year. This was due to the uncertainty on the local government settlement and Scottish Government budget which was only finally agreed yesterday.
“While the council had the power to increase council tax last year, the decision was made not to. This was to minimise the impact on households of the national increase in higher band properties.
“As it stands the council has a budget gap for the coming year and the council tax increase is required to assist in part plugging that gap. But, it will not cover all of the savings required.
“Part of the long term solution for councils, not just in Inverclyde, but across the country is in longer term financial planning when it comes to local government funding. Councils and other public services are crying out for the chance to set longer-term budgets and provide some certainty for services and communities. Councils also require that financial commitments made nationally, such as lifting the pay cap for public sector workers, are fully funded from the centre without impacting on day to day services.”
Water and sewerage charges, collected by Inverclyde Council through council tax bills, are set separately by Scottish Water.
Council tax levels for 2018/19:
Band A - £822.63
Band B - £959.73
Band C - £1,096.84
Band D - £1,233.94
Band E - £1,621.26
Band F - £2,005.15
Band G - £2,416.47
Band H - £3,023.15