SHONA Robison won’t impose a council tax freeze on local authorities when she unveils next week’s Scottish Budget, according to reports.
Former first minister Humza Yousaf previously announced the move without having consulted councils in a move which was met with criticism.
Cosla claimed it breached an agreement which had been struck just months before with the Scottish Government, saying it was “unaware of it in advance”.
“This has longer term implications for all councils right across the country, at a time when we know there are acute financial pressures, and where we are jointly looking at all local revenue raising options,” Cosla said.
“We will need to consider the implications for Cosla and local government with our members when we get more of the detail.”
Now, The Herald reports that SNP strategists have made it clear the policy won’t be reintroduced in the Scottish Budget, set to be announced on Wednesday.
One source told the newspaper: “The freeze was just for a year, so it’s not like it’s being lifted.
“It’s just not being brought back.”
Following the announcement by Yousaf, some councils threatened to defy the government with councillors in Argyll and Bute voting to hike the tax by 10%.
However, in the end only Labour-led Inverclyde pushed ahead with an increase after the Scottish Government reached a deal to give £147 million in compensation to local authorities to fund the freeze.
Households in Inverclyde received a one-off rebate in May to reverse the impact of their 8.2% increase in council tax.
The Herald further reported that Cosla, the Scottish Greens and Scottish LibDems all welcomed the news there would not be a council tax freeze next year.
Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer (above) said: “Repeating the freeze would have robbed schools, care providers and other key services of funding they desperately need.
“Council tax is an inherently broken system. Most people now pay the wrong rate based on valuations from 1991 and many pay more than they should.
“What needs to happen is a total replacement with a more progressive system. The Scottish Greens have already delivered important reforms, like doubling council tax on holiday homes to help tackle the housing crisis.
“We are urging the SNP to now take the next step and begin a full revaluation of the property roll to bring the system into the 21st century.”
Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton meanwhile accused the Scottish Government of treating councils with “contempt”.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government told The Herald: “The finance secretary will announce the details of the budget on December 4.”
