Renfrewshire announces council tax increase of 9.5%

Renfrewshire residents will see their council tax rise by 9.5% after the SNP administration’s budget passed on Thursday.

The party’s overall £583m spending plan was backed by independent councillors Andy Doig and Will Mylet, as well as Liberal Democrat councillor Anne Hannigan, during a summit at Renfrewshire House.

The council tax change means the Band D charge – used as a general measure – will jump from £1,436.17 to £1,572.61 for 2025/26, against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment.

SNP finance convener Councillor John Shaw described it as “essential” that the local authority “adapts and transforms” the way it works amid growing demand and the evolving needs of communities in the area.

He added: “That means listening to our residents, collaborating with our partners and shaping our services to best meet the needs of the people we serve.

“Protecting the long-term financial sustainability of our council is a key priority because without that stability, we cannot safeguard the vital services that so many rely on.

“We also recognise that cost-of-living pressures are impacting households across Renfrewshire, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

“We understand the difficulties that many are facing and that’s why fairness and the wellbeing of our communities remain at the heart of this SNP budget.

“We remain committed to supporting our people, investing in our communities and ensuring Renfrewshire continues to be a fantastic place to live, work, learn and play.”

Councillor Shaw outlined a series of pledges, including £450,000 for the Fairer Renfrewshire programme, which tackles poverty and inequality; £100,000 to ensure permanent support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; and £200,000 on a recurring basis to allow an increase in foster and kinship carer fees and allowances by 3%.

Targeted investment will also unlock up to £170m over future years for investment in Renfrewshire schools as part of the learning estate strategy and £700,000 has been set aside for existing school pitches.

General service charges will go up by 5%, while it was later confirmed council tenants will see their rent increase by 7.5%.

The Labour group put forward counter-proposals, which included £4.7m to provide free school meals for primary six and seven pupils, £7.3m to facilitate improvements in the school estate and £5m for a roads programme.

It wanted to spend £100,000 to support improvements at parks and £70,000 to assist the wardens service in dealing with antisocial behaviour and dog fouling, while proposing to raise council tax by 6.5%.

Councillor Alison Ann-Dowling, the group’s finance spokesperson, said: “Renfrewshire Labour stands for strengthening the social contract and for working together in pursuit of a common good.

“This Labour budget re-commits to addressing poverty and inequality for the benefit of Renfrewshire’s people with particular concern for the vulnerabilities of disadvantaged children and young people.”

However, the SNP’s budget was voted through comfortably in the end as it secured 23 votes to Labour’s 13, with six elected members – two independents and the Conservative group – opting to abstain.