Orkney council tax to rise by 6% and World Cup holiday rejected

Council tax in Orkney is to rise by 6%.

It follows an increase last year of 15%, which was one of the highest in Scotland.

The rise for 2026-27 would see households in an average band D property pay an annual bill of £1,669.07.

Councillors have also agreed that staff should not get a public holiday to mark Scotland men's team participation in this summer's World Cup due to the costs involved.

A short meeting of the full council ratified both decisions which were last week agreed by Orkney Islands Council's policy and resources committee.

Officials said the 6% rise would maintain the islands' rate at around the national average.

It has already been decided that council tax in Aberdeenshire is to go up by 10%.

Councillors in Moray also backed a 10% increase.

Meanwhile, council tax in Shetland will rise by 7.3%.

In Aberdeen, a rise of 6.8% was approved.

Last month, the Scottish government said its Budget delivered record funding of almost £15.7bn for local authorities, a real-terms increase of 2%.

It was also agreed OIC staff would not get the World Cup holiday with the additional cost expected to be between £100,000 and £120,000.

There were also concerns about the impact it would have on services.

First Minister John Swinney previously said that Monday 15 June should be designated as a national bank holiday.

The proposal was later approved by the King - but it is up to individual employers to make the decision.