Councillors back plans to raise council tax

SIC councillors have agreed to raise council tax by three per cent however political leader Gary Robinson feels it has been forced into the move with the Scottish government failing to deliver radical tax reforms.

At the full council meeting today members agreed a £110.1 million budget for 2017/18.

Councillors were told the local authority was being handed a reduced grant of about £80 million from the Scottish government – a fall of around £3million on the previous year.

In order to continue providing services the council offers further money will have to be made up in a number of ways – including a three per cent rise in council tax and a draw on oil reserves.

Council tax in Shetland currently brings in around £9 million for the council while other profitable aspects of council business include the ports and harbours department.

• More in Friday’s Shetland Times