Aberdeen agrees council tax increase of 9.85%

Councillors in Aberdeen have backed a council tax rise of 9.85%.

Officials had been recommending 11%, but the SNP and Liberal Democrat administration successfully proposed the lower figure.

It means band D council tax will be set at £1,636.27.

Proposing the 9.85% rise, the SNP's Alex McLellan said the council faced "incredibly challenging" circumstances and "incredibly difficult" decisions.

The opposition Labour group had proposed a 6.5% council tax rise, while the Conservatives suggested a 7% increase.

Among cities, Aberdeen's decision follows Edinburgh and Dundee opting for 8%, and Glasgow at 7.5%.

Mr McLellan added that council tax payers had the right to expect a "certain standard of delivery" with services.

Band D rising by 9.85% would add £146 a year to bills,

Mr McLellan said they would look into an investment plan for refurbishing the city's "iconic" Beach Ballroom, with a view to securing the future of the building.

Labour councillor Tauqeer Malik argued for 6.5% and a budget of "positivity rather than negativity".

Conservative Richard Brooks, pushing for 7%, said 9.85% was effectively a 10% rise and called for a fair deal for Aberdeen.

Independent Marie Boulton warned that residents would be left with the reality of the council's decision, and that the near 10% rise would put some "over the edge".

The 9.85% motion passed with 23 votes against 12 for the Labour amendment, with nine abstentions.

Councillors in Aberdeenshire, Moray and Shetland previously went with a 10% increase in council tax.

On Tuesday, Orkney councillors agreed a 15% rise - the highest such rise so far across Scotland.