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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stephanie Brawn

Renfrewshire council tax to go up three per cent as SNP budget sails through unopposed

People in Renfrewshire will see their council tax and service charges go up by three per cent this year.

This comes after the SNP administration's £466 million budget was passed unopposed earlier today.

Following a welcome freeze to rates over the past 12 months, it means the Band D charge will go up from £1,315.42 to £1,354.88 this year.

Council tenants will also face a two per cent rise in average weekly rent as the council plans to inject £266m into existing and new-build housing to 2027.

Unlike last year when the budget was squeezed through by just two votes, getting it approved was a breeze for the SNP this time as no opposition group chose to table any amendments.

Conservative group leader Neill Graham claimed his group "did not have enough time" to propose any alternative budget as he slammed the SNP group's decision to only reveal their spending plans 15 minutes before the crunch meeting.

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Labour councillor Jim Sharkey attempted to directly oppose the budget on behalf of his group but, given he offered no alternative plan, this was ruled as incompetent by Provost Lorraine Cameron.

Shots were fired at a perceived lack of fight from the opposition, as the Labour group's stance was branded an "absolute disgrace" while the Tories' approach was described as "ignorant" and "unbelievable".

Finance convener Councillor John Shaw said while council tax would rise, people in bands A to D and those in receipt of reduction would actually pay less this year because of a £150 rebate from the Scottish Government, which is designed to assist people with the cost-of-living crisis.

"The small annual increase will be offset by the Scottish Government £150 credit, meaning every household in bands A to D and those receiving council tax reduction will pay less this year compared to last year, " said Councillor Shaw.

Aside from the council tax hike, Councillor Shaw announced £11.6m to bolster adult social care and £5m to tackle the cost of living and help those most in need.

Meanwhile, £1.2m is to be pumped into improving artificial playing surfaces across the region while £2.25m will be split between Johnstone, Renfrew, Erskine and the villages to ensure each area can "transform and celebrate unique assets and heritage".

Councillor John Shaw said the budget "delivers for everyone in Renfrewshire" (Renfrewshire Council)

Johnstone will receive £500,000 for improvements to the Houston Arcade, Floors Street, High Street and the bandstand, while Renfrew will get £1m for the transformation of key sites such as the police station.

Erskine will receive £300,000 for new-build industrial units and £450,000 will go to the villages.

Property owners in village centres will be able to access a conservation and heritage grants scheme and the successful villages investment fund is being replenished.

An additional £700,000 will be pumped into tarting up community halls on top of £2.3m already committed to this area.

A total of £650,000 will be put towards school and nursery improvements - bringing the administration's investment over the past three years to £3m -and £10m has been earmarked for a match-funded bid to the Scottish Government Learning Estate Improvement Programme in 2022 for a new Thorn Primary School in Johnstone.

Councillor Shaw added: “Our budget continues to deliver for everyone in Renfrewshire as we recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“It helps those most in need and will help tackle the increasing cost of living.

"It puts money into community facilities, schools and nurseries, town and village centres, building pride in our place and ensuring we see the benefits of recovery right across Renfrewshire.

“The council tax increase is a financially responsible step."

The council announced £2.3m of savings to support the budget which will come from the ongoing Right for Renfrewshire transformation programme, which has involved axing 200 jobs as the council seeks to make more use of technology in handling routine requests.

A new £150,000 retail improvement fund will be established to help improve town centre shop fronts. It will replace the 2020 pot which ended up being used to help businesses meet social distancing requirements.

Another £100,000 will be aimed at further improvements to Renfrewshire's cemeteries and £450,000 from unallocated reserves will be set aside to pilot a fly-tipping enforcement service.

The financial plans will also continue the £437m capital investment programme already underway.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “More funds for adult social care will benefit carers and the care-at-home service and we are giving children across Renfrewshire the best possible start in life by continuing investment in our nurseries and schools.

“Town and village centre funding will make a difference now and enable us to unlock external funding and continuing capital investment will support inclusive economic growth and continue our work making Renfrewshire a great place to live, visit, work and invest in.”

Renfrewshire council tax charges 2022/23

Band A - £903.26

Band B - £1,053.79

Band C - £1,204.34

Band D - £1,354.88

Band E - £1,780.17

Band F - £2,201.69

Band G - £2,653.31

Band H - £3,319.46

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