Council Tax Increase Proposal
Councillors will be asked to approve a 7% rise in Highland council tax bills at a meeting scheduled for Thursday.
This increase would raise the annual cost for an average band D property by £106.90, bringing the total to £1,633.99. For comparison, the council tax rate for a band D property in 2025-26 was £1,527.09.
Allocation of the Increase
Of the proposed 7% increase, 5% is intended to support core services, while the remaining 2% will be allocated to improvements in roads and schools.
Highland Council stated that these proposals aim to deliver a balanced budget without requiring the use of reserves.
The proposed 7% rise matches the increase implemented last year.
Council Leadership Comments
Council leader Raymond Bremner acknowledged the pressures faced by the local authority but emphasized the importance of maintaining key services for communities.
"The local authority was under pressure but did not want to lose key services for communities."
"The council tried to keep rises to a minimum."
Implementation
If the proposal is approved at the full council meeting in Inverness, the new council tax rate will take effect from 1 April.
