Council tax rise of 8.5% agreed in Scottish Borders

A council tax rise of 8.5% has been voted through in the Scottish Borders.

It translates to an increase of £126.88 for the average band D property in the region, to £1,618.52 per year.

A meeting of the full council voted by 23 to eight with one abstention in favour of the proposal from the Conservative-led ruling group.

An amendment tabled by SNP members - which would have seen a 7% increase - was defeated.

In previous years all parties - Conservative, SNP, Lib Dem and Independents - have agreed on finalised proposals before they are publicly released.

This year the SNP group walked out of discussions at the 11th hour over plans not to increase the council tax levy on second homes in line with that on empty properties.

While owners of empty homes will face a 300% levy on the base level of council tax - up from 200% - holiday home owners will have to pay 225%.

Council leader Euan Jardine said it was "always good to have a healthy debate" but urged his colleagues to back the spending proposals.

"Our budget gives us clarity - we live in a rural area and we need to have clarity," he said.

"In rural Scotland, stability matters."

SNP group leader Elaine Thornton-Nicol said their alternative budget proposals were for people who "live, work and grow old" in the region.

She said anyone who came to visit was "more than welcome" but they wanted to do more to help local residents.

After a lengthy debate, councillors voted in favour of the proposals from the ruling administration.