Council taxpayers across Falkirk area could be paying up to 22.5 per cent more if plans are approved

The Scottish Government has today launched ten weeks of consultation on its proposal which it says will bring about a “fairer” system.

If implemented, the plans would see council tax for homes in bands E, F, G and H increased on a sliding scale of 7.5 per cent, 12.5 cent, 17.5 per cent and 22.5 per cent. At the current rate of council tax in the Falkirk area this would see those in the highest bracket paying an extra £751.81 annually, taking their charge to £4093.17. However, when waste and water charges are added on the annual bill would rise to £5097.75.

The Scottish Government has said around 28 per cent of properties across the country would be impacted and the average payment in the highest band would be £4251 per year.

Launching the consultation, public finance minister Tom Arthur said: “We have listened to calls for the council tax system to be made fairer, as presently more of the burden falls on those in the lower bands when considered as a proportion of the value of their property.

“The changes would only affect around a quarter of properties and even after they are taken into account, average council tax in Scotland would still be less than anywhere else in the UK.

“We know that many people are struggling with their finances and our council tax reduction scheme is there to ensure nobody has to pay a council tax bill they cannot be expected to afford, regardless of what band they are in. I would encourage anyone who has views on these proposals to complete our consultation before it closes on September 20, 2023, to help us determine if they should be taken forward.”

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Falkirk Council leader, said: ““We welcome that the commitment to look at council tax, which is one of the few ways in which councils can increase their revenue.

"We recognise that the consultation is just the beginning of a process which will hopefully see council tax reviewed or reformed, and we will look to fully engage in the consultation process.”

Katie Hagmann, resources spokeswoman at Cosla, said: “For many years there have been calls to make the council tax system fairer. We are pleased to be working jointly with the Scottish Government to explore ways that we can achieve this. A fairer and more progressive council tax is what the proposals in this consultation aim to do.

“This is a consultation about ways to make council tax more proportionate for everyone, so that householders pay their fair share towards the delivery of essential local services, including looking at those higher value properties. We want to hear from individuals, households, and communities to inform any redesign of this local tax, so would encourage people to respond during the ten week consultation period.

“If you have a view on council tax, this joint consultation with Scottish Government gives you the chance to share your views and gives us a chance to make council tax fairer.”

However, the Scottish Tory local government spokeswoman Liz Smith said the proposals would “terrify people struggling to cope with the global cost-of-living crisis”.

She added: “Rather than even considering these eye-watering hikes, SNP-Green ministers should finally give our councils the fair funding deal they deserve, which the Scottish Conservatives have repeatedly called for.”

Across Scotland in 2023-24, council tax for a band D property in different councils varies between £1261 and £1515. Residents in the Falkirk Council area are paying £1363.82.