Ellie Ames 18 October 2023

‘No agreement’ with Scottish councils to freeze council tax

‘No agreement’ with Scottish councils to freeze council tax image
Image: Altopix / Shutterstock.com

The decision to freeze council tax across Scotland was made ‘completely without reference to local government’, according to council bosses.

First Minister Humza Yousaf announced at the SNP conference yesterday that rates would be frozen in the next financial year, with the freeze fully funded by Scottish Government ‘to ensure councils can maintain their services’.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) said they were unaware of the decision before the announcement.

There was ‘real anger’ about the handling of the decision in an emergency meeting of COSLA’s political group leaders this morning, the organisation has said.

The COSLA presidential team said today: ‘We deplore the way the announcement was made and its substance, both of which fly in the face of the Verity House Agreement which we all recently signed.’

Mr Yousaf said: ‘The Scottish Government remains wholly committed to the Verity House Agreement, and as part of that are continuing work with COSLA on a new fiscal framework for local authorities.

‘We are also working on longer term reforms to the council tax system, which are being considered by the working group on local government funding that we are chairing jointly with COSLA.’

COSLA bosses said they would explore the implications of the announcement in a meeting with Scotland’s deputy first minister today, adding: ‘but we are clear that local taxation and particularly council tax should be left for democratically elected councils to determine.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner