Orkney councillors back 15% council tax rise

Council leader Heather Woodbridge said a balance had to be found

Councillors in Orkney have backed a 15% increase in council tax.

The 15% rise was passed by 15 votes to six at a meeting of the full Orkney Islands Council, defeating an amendment for a lower rise of 11%.

The biggest agreed percentage increase in Scotland so far had been in Clackmannanshire, with a 13% rise.

A disappointed campaigner who had set up a petition against the 15% rise said people were struggling with rising costs.

Councillors in Orkney will receive pay increases of 22% from next month, as part of changes across the country agreed by the Scottish government.

Councillor Heather Woodbridge, the leader of Orkney Islands Council, put forward the 15% recommendation.

She said no-one wanted to put the public under pressure and the rise was about finding the right balance.

She said 15% rather than 11% would bring in a "significant" amount of extra money.

Councillor Steven Heddle argued for an 11% rise

Councillor Steven Heddle moved the amendment to go for 11% rather than the proposed 15%.

He said in his 18 years as a councillor he had never seen people so angry.

"Life is about people and the people have spoken," he said.

Island councillors were trying to balance the need to raise revenue with protecting services against cuts.

At a 15% increase, council tax for a Band D property will be £1,574.60

At 11%, it would have instead taken the council tax to £1,519.82.

The difference between 11% and 15% is £1.05 per week for band D households.

Each 1% rise on the council tax equates to £115,000 for the authority.

With councillors voting on a 4% difference, that amounted to a potential extra £460,000.

An online petition against the potential higher 15% rise gathered more than 1,000 signatures.

Linda Ratter expressed disappointment at the rise

The petition was set up by "born and bred Orcadian" Linda Ratter, who was disappointed at the final decision.

"There's lots of people, lots of families, and a lot of older people that are really struggling," she said.

"Rents are going up, food costs are going up, everything is going up.

"Things can't keep going on like this, people are really suffering."

Morven Brooks from Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) expressed "deep concern" about the rise.

Morven Brooks, from Voluntary Action Orkney, expressed concern

She described the 15% council tax increase, coupled with funding uncertainties, as placing organisations in a "precarious position, potentially affecting the most vulnerable members of our community".

"We understand the council's need to address financial challenges," the VAO chief executive said.

"However, this significant tax increase raises concerns about its impact on our third sector organisations and, more importantly, on the vulnerable population we support.

"Many local charities and community groups are already facing increased demand for services and rising operational costs. This tax hike could further strain household budgets, leading to an even greater reliance on third sector services."

A decision on Orkney's council tax was made on Tuesday morning

Councillors in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Shetland have all already backed a 10% increase in council tax.

Aberdeen - with officials recommending 11% - will decide on its rise on Wednesday.