SNP and Labour hike East Dunbartonshire council tax by 9.5%

The SNP administration with the support of Labour approve a tax hike of 9.5% on top of 13.2% last year giving an unacceptable increase of 23% in two years. The Lib Dems proposed an alternative budget increase of 6.5% instead. Some constituents have said they are so close to the line financially that last year’s 13.2% increase put them on a financial knife edge. 

The Lib Dem councillors put in an amendment to the budget requesting a 100% increase in fees on utility companies when they undertake road works to encourage them to obstruct the road less and finish works quicker.

This would have generated enough to pay to keep the free food waste bin liners and add 6 crossing patrollers for schools.

Unfortunately, the SNP and Labour who run the council voted against this so its another cut by them to the bin collections despite the 9.5% tax rise.

We also opposed spending over £500,000 for 1 bedroom council houses in Torrance – 1 bedroom for half a million pounds!

In 2023 the Lib Dems also put forward an amendment allowing EDC to keep the general waste bins at two weeks but unfortunately that was also voted down by the SNP and Labour.

The Lib Dem’s are not against council tax rises at least inline with inflation to guarantee essential services are protected; but the SNP Scottish Government council tax freezes for over 10 years has led to them making these cuts as well as tax rises.

We will keep pushing for fair tax and better services.