Council tax increase

Council tax in the Western Isles is set to increase by 3% in a effort to reduce a budget deficit.

Councillors will vote on Tuesday over the proposal which aims to raise an extra half a million pounds.

The top four property bands were already set to increase after MSPs agreed the Scotland-wide measure in November.

That will bring in an extra £160,000 for the comhairle while a 3% hike across the board tops the sum up to £540,000.

Councillors to vote over 3% council tax increase

6 February 2017

Bands E, F, G and H will go up twice - firstly, due to new Scottish Government legislation to increase the top four bands from April 2017.

A 3% rise which the comhairle looks certain to approve this week will apply a further hike.

The column on the far right of the table shows the council tax islanders will pay from April this year.

Council tax has been frozen for the past nine years but the Scottish Government permitted local authorities leeway for a maximum 3% rise which the comhairle plans to implement each year.

Band

Current tax

After tax band increase

After 3%rise - New council tax

for 2017

683

796

910

1024

1252

1479

1707

2048

683

796

910

1024

1345

1664

2005

2509

703

820

938

1055

1386

1714

2065

2584

Council tax rise