Scottish Borders Council agrees tax freeze

Taxpayers in the Borders will not see a rise in rates rise after the local authority voted to freeze council tax for the coming year.

The move was agreed at a full meeting of the council.

Covering the 2024/25 financial year, it is in line with a Scotland-wide freeze announced by First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Members heard from officers in the council chamber that it was part of a wider package which would see Scottish Borders Council receive £3.2m from Holyrood, equal to a 5% funding rise.

Finance councillor Marc Rowley described the Scottish government funding offer as putting the authority somewhere between a rock and a hard place.

He added: “I would have preferred if we could have raised more revenue for services but I believe we should accept the government's offer.”

Elaine Thornton Nicol, leader of the SNP group, said: “This is an offer that reduces the impact on our citizens."

The authority's budget group had been working towards a 4% increase prior to the freeze announcement in October.

Meanwhile, water charges will rise by 8.8%.

Follow the BBC for the South of Scotland on X.

Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds.