Aberdeen, Moray and Orkney increase council tax

Aberdeen's council tax is to increase by 4%, less than the maximum available to the local authority.

The rise will see a Band D bill going up by £52.33 to £1,377.30.

Moray and Orkney councils earlier announced they are to both raise their council tax by the maximum rate of 4.84%.

The Moray council tax rise equates to a Band D increase of £61.07 a year. In Orkney, the increase for Band D is £55.79 a year.

Aberdeen City Council confirmed the 4% rise after its budget was passed by 23 votes to 19.

The authority is looking to find £37.9m of possible savings.

The council said tackling climate change was "at the heart of its spending plans" for 2020/21.

More than £100m has been set aside for green initiatives, including:

• £5m for alternative fuel powered council fleet vehicles to help deliver  a Low Emission Zone within the city centre

• £15m for an environmentally-friendly heat network in Torry

• £1m for cycling and walking infrastructure

• £3m to tackle fuel poverty by investing in council housing stock

• £2.4m for the digital network to further improve services and reduce travel needs.

Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: "Our spending plans support the most ambitious and comprehensive redesign of the council's structure and approach to service delivery ever to better meet the needs of customers whilst delivering essential financial efficiencies. "