The detail of the settlement has once again forced councils into relatively high levels of increase in council tax

Cosla president Norman Murray

Borders Council has pegged its increases at an average of 8% over the next three years, while Edinburgh has settled for an increase of 4.9% this year and provisional rises over the next two years of 4% and 3%.

Edinburgh finance committee member Maureen Child said: "This budget is about the quality of life for all of Edinburgh's citizens.

"We are giving top priority to improving the cleanliness of the city by putting in extra resources.

"There will also be initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour, we should see this coming year the first fines for litter offences through greater enforcement, and youth services will be promoted, in particular the largest programme of activities for young people in the summer holidays ever seen in the city."

Many increases are above inflation

In the Highland Council area, rates are to rise by 5.9%, with increases for the next two years fixed at �50 or less in band D.

Cosla president Norman Murray said that councils had once again found difficulties in setting budgets.

He said: "While changes to the local government finance systems have been welcome, the detail of the settlement has once again forced councils into relatively high levels of increase in council tax.

"Grants are determined by the Scottish Executive both at an overall and at individual council level and councils are framing their budgets in accordance with the executive's settlement."

SNP anger

The increases have been criticised by Scottish National Party local government spokesman Kenny Gibson.

He said: "An increase of up to 10% on council tax bills will come as a great shock to council tax payers across Scotland, particularly on top of swingeing water and sewerage charges averaging an increase of 18%.

In Aberdeen, bills are to rise by 7%

"Combined with ever decreasing services there will be anger at being short-changed once again by New Labour.

"Council taxes have now increased by over 31% in Scotland since New Labour came to power, while services have been slashed and thousands of jobs lost."

Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie said: "Last week in the parliament, Local Government Minister Angus MacKay described the local government settlement as 'the best settlement for many years.

"Why is it then that Labour councils up and down the country are today announcing council tax increases well above the rate of inflation?"