RESIDENTS in South Ayrshire will pay an average of 67p more per week in Council Tax next year after Councillors agreed today to increase Council Tax by 3 per cent – the first increase in ten years.

This will increase Council Tax charges for an average band D property in 2017/18 from £1153.95 to £1188.57 per year – a rise of £34.62.

The monies raised by today’s Council Tax increase – around £1.7 million – will be used to protect local public services and minimise the need for cuts to services following the reduction in grant funding from the Scottish Government.

As well as the Council Tax increase agreed by the Council, households in bands E to H will also be affected by Scottish Government changes to Council Tax, which will increase Council Tax charges for these properties by an additional £105-£520.   

The Council decision to increase Council Tax was taken as Councillors agreed a revenue budget of £192 million – as well as a delegated budget of £69 million for the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership – for 2017/18 and a six-year capital investment programme of £145 million for 2017/18-2022/23.

More to Follow.