Council tax is being frozen in North Lanarkshire for 2021-22.
The move was unanimously agreed this afternoon at the local authority’s annual budget meeting and means the area’s Band D rate will remain at £1221.25 per year for the 12 months ahead.
Last month’s Scottish Government budget had contained a sum allowing councils to maintain local taxation levels, with finance secretary Kate Forbes promising authorities “funding equivalent to a council tax increase of around three per cent to councils who choose to freeze [it]”.
North Lanarkshire’s council tax bills will therefore remain in the existing range between £814.17 per year for band A properties, to £2992.06 for band H.
The virtual finance meeting began with a moment’s silence, led by Provost Jean Jones, in memory of all those who have died of coronavirus in the year since the first case was recorded in Scotland on March 1 2020.
Council leader Jim Logue, SNP finance spokesperson Jim Hume and Conservative leader Meghan Gallacher all expressed their respective groups’ thanks to the local authority’s staff for their response to the pandemic during the past year.
Airdrie Central representative Councillor Logue said: “COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in our communities.
“It has claimed some of our most vulnerable people, and it’s right that we remember them this afternoon; our thoughts will always stay with those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.”
He continued: “This council, led by our dedicated staff, have been a beacon of hope, working relentlessly to support businesses, communities and the most vulnerable, and it’s important we place on record our thanks to all of them.”
Councillor Hume added: “Everyone in the country has faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic, and this has also had an impact across the council, where everyone has been impacted on some level.
“Everyone has responded to the challenge to ensure the possible support could be provided to communities, and I formally thank everyone working for the council for the exceptional way they’ve responded to the pandemic.”
Councillor Gallacher agreed, saying: “I’d like to thank all council staff for their hard work and dedication as we continue the fight against COVID-19, which has significantly impacted the communities we represent.”
