The draft budget going before Moray Council next week proposes an initial 10% council tax increase this year, with a further 10% and 6% in the following two years
That would mean a 26% council tax increase for all council tax bands in Moray, for a family paying the lowest tax band that would mean an increase of over £300 per year
In addition, rent prices for social housing is also planned to increase by 18% over the next 3 years
Neil Alexander, Moray Lib Dem Leader, called for both the tax and rent increases to be scrapped:
“Whilst the council leader is to receive a £15k pay rise, the council is proposing a 26% council tax hike and an 18% increase to social housing rent
“Lib Dems at Holyrood won an extra £15m for Moray in budget negotiations this year, millions more than the deficit we keep hearing about
“That increase could protect the poorest families in Moray.
“It’s time for real common sense. Stop the tax hike, and stop the social housing rent hike.”
Budget negotiations have been cross-party between the parties within Moray Council, with other parties voting with the Conservative budgets in the past
Mr Alexander went on to call for other parties to follow the Lib Dems lead and not vote through the tax increases:
“Working across party lines often is the best to deliver at local council level, but this administration has not been counting the human cost of their tax increases, charge increases and local service cutbacks
“It’s on other groups and independents to vote against this budget.
“Even if the Lib Dems stand alone on this, we will continue to stand up for the poorest families in Moray.”
