Councillors asked to approve 7% rise in Highland council tax

Councillors will be asked to agree to a 7% increase in Highland council tax bills at a meeting on Thursday.

It would see the annual cost for an average band D property rise by £106.90 to £1,633.99. The 2025-26 council tax rate for a band D property was £1,527.09.

Of the increase, 5% would go towards core services with the remaining 2% to be used for improving roads and schools.

Highland Council said the proposals would deliver a balanced budget without the need for the use of reserves.

The proposed 7% rise is the same as last year's figure.

Council leader Raymond Bremner said the local authority was under pressure but did not want to lose key services for communities.

He said the council tried to keep rises to a minimum.

If voted through at a meeting of the full council in Inverness, the new rate would take effect from 1 April.