Big backing for higher council tax

Published on Wednesday 29 September 2010 18:53

SEVEN out of ten Edinburgh residents are willing to pay more in council tax to prevent savage cuts to public services, city leaders said today.

The claim comes after 1000 residents took part in a series of local "summits", online questionnaires and e-mail surveys.

City chiefs will use that as evidence of support during discussions with the Scottish Government about whether to end the council tax freeze.

Speaking before the council's budget summit at the Royal High Primary last night, Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's finance leader, said: "This view will contribute to discussions through CoSLA with Scottish ministers about the future funding arrangements for councils."

On the question of council tax, respondents were told that a one per cent rise would provide an additional 2.2 million a year in revenue. They were then asked if they would consider paying more if this was directed to "essential front line services".

At the first budget summit, at St Bride's Community Centre, 67 per cent said they would pay more, compared with 63 per cent of people at the Davidson's Mains Parish Church summit and 78 per cent at Southside Community Centre.

Council chiefs say 69 per cent of online responses have been in favour, as well as 72 per cent who have responded through council newspaper Outlook or e-mail.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, finance spokesman for the Labour group on the council, said: "They (the council] do not explain what mechanism they would use to put this money into frontline services."

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