Scottish Borders Council agrees to raise tax by 3%

Scottish Borders Council has agreed to increase its council tax by 3% in April.

A previous indicative budget was based on a 1.5% rise but a report said doubling that could generate an extra £900,000.

It said that the money could then be used to help support services and offset any service reductions.

The move will add a little more than £30 a year to the bill for a band D property in the region.

The report said the vast majority of properties in the region - more than 60% - were in bands A to C.

It added that arrangements were in place to protect people on low incomes affected by any increase.