East Lothian freezes council tax for fifth year

COUNCIL tax rates have been frozen for the fifth consecutive year in East Lothian.

The local authority agreed the measure for the financial year 2012-13 at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Council leader Paul McLennan said: “We will be detailing our spending plans in the budget meeting on February 14 but thought a clear indication of council tax levels now would be welcomed by local residents.

“During the current global recession, everyone is feeling the financial squeeze. [We] decided that a council tax freeze for the fifth year in a row would help local residents plan their own forthcoming expenditure.”

The council also agreed to continue a discount of two per cent for those who settled their council tax bill in advance, and a minimum discount of ten per cent on empty and second homes.