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Glasgow and Edinburgh council tax bills to increase by nearly 5% Glasgow and Edinburgh council tax bills to increase by nearly 5%
(about 2 hours later)
Scotland's two biggest councils have voted to increase domestic rates by nearly 5%.Scotland's two biggest councils have voted to increase domestic rates by nearly 5%.
In Glasgow, the SNP-administration set the rise at 4.64% while Edinburgh's SNP-Labour coalition agreed 4.79%.In Glasgow, the SNP-administration set the rise at 4.64% while Edinburgh's SNP-Labour coalition agreed 4.79%.
Councils across Scotland have the power to raise council tax by up to 4.8% this year.Councils across Scotland have the power to raise council tax by up to 4.8% this year.
In the coming weeks, the country's 32 local authorities will be agreeing their budgets ahead of the new financial year on 1 April.In the coming weeks, the country's 32 local authorities will be agreeing their budgets ahead of the new financial year on 1 April.
Glasgow's budget was passed after an amendment from the Scottish Greens was accepted. Glasgow's budget was passed after an amendment from the Scottish Greens was accepted. It included the following proposals:
The deal agreed includes proposed revenue savings of £26.5m, including the introduction of a charge for bulk waste collection. City treasurer councillor Allan Gow said: "I regret the increase in council tax but I believe that there is no other option. It will hopefully mitigate some of the impact on our poorest people in Glasgow.
The council has also proposed closing Blairvadach outdoor centre in Argyll and Bute and making the staff redundant. "We have sought to protect our most vulnerable people in our community. We will continue the holiday fund and universal free school meals to all children from P1 to P4."
Education centre to close Also agreed was a new £10m climate emergency action fund, ahead of Glasgow hosting the COP26 climate change summit later this year, and work to identify a further £20m to invest in nature, green networks and food growing opportunities.
A number of venues and outdoor spaces operated by Glasgow Life - a charity that delivers activities on behalf of the council - would also be transferred to "local community management" under the proposals, saving £600,000. GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson said the council was not providing adequate funding to tackle Glasgow's "waste crisis".
Potential savings of £7.6m have been identified for social work services and £3m to waste collection in the city. She added: "These proposals suggest we have a council that can't even keep the city clean yet thinks it can save the planet."
SNP councillors said it was a budget that protected teacher numbers and provided an extra £1m for climate emergency action. But opposition parties have criticised the bulk waste collection charge and "cuts" to street sweeping.
The Labour group also said it would have wanted the "much-loved" Blairvadach Outdoor Education Centre to have remained open.
The centre, which is run for Glasgow school children, is one of the largest residential outdoor education centres in Scotland and has been operating for more than 45 years.
According to the budget proposal, closure of the centre would save £218,000.
Edinburgh 'key priorities'Edinburgh 'key priorities'
In the capital, councillors were faced with the need to save £87m over the next three years.In the capital, councillors were faced with the need to save £87m over the next three years.
The local authority said it would use the money from the council tax rise to invest in "key priorities" such as new schools.The local authority said it would use the money from the council tax rise to invest in "key priorities" such as new schools.
The three-year City of Edinburgh council budget includes pledging £196m towards a redevelopment project on former industrial land at Granton which will have 3,500 new homes, a school, medical centre, cycling and walking routes and sustainable transport hubs.The three-year City of Edinburgh council budget includes pledging £196m towards a redevelopment project on former industrial land at Granton which will have 3,500 new homes, a school, medical centre, cycling and walking routes and sustainable transport hubs.
An extra £9.1m to address rising school rolls and £123m towards improving roads and pavements was also in the budget. Elsewhere, other significant changes which have been approved include:
Cuts to nursery teacher numbers, a review of senior management roles and a reduction in the council's contribution to community policing were also approved by councillors. Council leader Adam McVey said: "We've agreed a bold budget which protects the most vulnerable in society and guarantees a fairer quality of life for future generations.
"It prioritises those council services which work to help those who are most in need of our support - protecting our young people, our communities and our planet in the process."
Part of this story was provided by local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter.