Aberdeen City Council freezes council tax rate

Aberdeen will not have an across the board council tax rise.

Councillors decided against an increase, which could have been up to 3%. However, householders who live in properties in Band E to H will still face a rise after MSPs agreed changes.

It means a Band H property will go up by £553.68.

Council leader Jenny Laing said not increasing council tax was vital in a time of economic challenge. Aberdeen is the largest council not to raise bills.

Voluntary redundancies will be looked at in a bid to make savings.

The budget includes extra money for pupil support assistants, plans for 2,000 new council homes and more than £800,000 for play park refurbishments.

Aberdeen City Council is ruled by a Labour-led coalition.

The SNP and Lib Dems also proposed no council tax increase.

BBC Scotland had revealed last week that Aberdeen was unlikely to have an across-the-board council tax rise.