Moray Council’s budget praised by Moray Trades Union Council for protecting jobs
Moray Council’s budget has been welcomed by a trade union group for protecting jobs and public services.
The Moray Trades Union Council (MTUC) said the approved budget included “bold action to protect jobs and public services”.
Councillors voted in favour of the budget, proposed by the Conservative administration, at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
This year’s budget included an increase in the rate of council tax by ten per cent, along with “indicative” rises of ten per cent next year and six per cent the year after.
As a result, a Band D household would see an extra £400 added to their annual bill in 2027.
The bill for the lowest band of property in Moray will rise by £268.
David Blair, secretary of the Moray Trades Union Council, praised the budget despite expressing concern over the “sudden” rises.
However, he added, issues with the council tax system left Moray Council little room to avoid negative consequences.
Mr Blair said: “There is ultimately no fair way for any council to raise council tax when the valuations were last set in 1991, and more than half of all households are thought to be in the wrong band.”
The MTUC chairman also called on the Scottish Government to reform how the tax is calculated.
“The SNP came to power 18 years ago pledging to scrap and replace the unfair council tax,” he added.
“Delivering on that promise is now long overdue.
“We call on all parties to unite behind our campaign for better and fairer local government taxation.”
