Dumfries and Galloway proposes 7.5% council tax rise

The SNP administration of Dumfries and Galloway Council has proposed a 7.5% increase in council tax.

It would see the annual rate for the average band D property rise from £1,454.98 to £1,564.10 - an increase of £109.12.

However, three opposition groups have also tabled their own budget proposals.

The Conservatives would increase the rate by 6.5%, Labour by 8.5% and the Novantae group would raise tax by 9.8%. The meeting to discuss the proposals is on Thursday.

The full details of each proposed budget were published about 48 hours before the meeting to discuss them.

Among the savings being suggested by the SNP group are the removal of a permanent supply teacher pool, ending funding for school-based police officers and consultation on the closure of small nurseries.

They would also seek to increase income by increasing burial fees, school meal prices and piloting an "Invitation to Pay" scheme for parking.

The Conservative proposals would look to make greater savings - including reducing winter road treatment and sharing headteachers between some primary schools.

Under Labour budget plans the areas to be cut would include reduced leadership and management costs while Novantae - set up to represent the west of the region - would remove playground supervisors at primaries.

The complete budget proposals - running to hundreds of pages - are available on the council website.

Last year the local authority increased its charges by 9%.

Neighbouring Scottish Borders Council agreed to increase its council tax by 8.5% last week.