A council that was first to break ranks over the council tax freeze may fall into line after an offer of extra cash.
Argyll and Bute Council announced a 10% rise in February to help overcome a £40m funding gap.
But the authority said it had now been offered money for severe weather costs, and a freeze would help unlock £6.26m in extra funds.
The council will now hold a special meeting next month to consider whether to freeze council tax rates.
- Argyll votes to raise council tax by 10%
First Minister Humza Yousaf made the surprise announcement of a 12-month council tax freeze at the SNP conference last October.
The Scottish government said it would give local authorities £147m in compensation, as well as a share of £62.7m if they implemented the policy.
Most councils froze council tax but Argyll and Inverclyde announced rises of 10% and 8.2% respectively, saying it was the only way to maintain jobs and services.
Argyll and Bute Council leader Robin Currie said it was now ready to reconsider following discussions with the Scottish government in recent weeks.
He said an extra £2.3m had been offered to support the impact of severe weather last autumn, and a council tax freeze would unlock other government funding, meaning the authority stood to gain an extra £6.26m in total.
Mr Currie said: “We can now look at freezing council tax for the coming year. We have been lobbying hard for equal support for Argyll and Bute which reflects the incredibly severe impact of unprecedented severe weather in October last year.
“We made a very strong case for that to the Scottish government at a meeting we asked for in January this year.
“We have continued to press ministers ever since on a range of other issues. We are of course delighted that they have listened to our calls for severe weather support, and that they have now provided for Argyll and Bute that extra assistance that we are fighting for.”
Mr Currie said he would now be recommending a council tax freeze at a special meeting of the council next month.
Add Comment