HIGHER band Wee County households could be paying increased levels of council tax next year if new taxation proposals are agreed.

Consultation is open on the Scottish Government proposals which would see the local government levy increased by 7.5 per cent, 12.5 per cent, 17.5 per cent and 22.5 per cent for valuation bands E, F, G and H, respectively.

The government has launched the consultation jointly with COSLA with those behind the plans saying that the move aims to address criticism that the current system is unfair as those in the lower bands pay a higher proportion of the value of their property than those in the higher bands.

The move has drawn criticism from opposition MSPs, however, who said the tax hikes will “terrify residents” right across the area.

Launching the consultation last week, the government said around 75 per cent of Scottish properties would be unaffected.

As of 2017, there were 23,563 total households in Clackmannanshire, and it is understood around 6,500 would be affected by the changes with 55 properties falling into the highest valuation, band H.

It means around 28 per cent of Wee County properties could pay the multiplied increase, initially spread out over a number of years, with the government looking to ensure the changes can be delivered in time for the start of the 2024-25 council tax year.

PROPOSALS: Council tax could increase for higher bands in a bid to make the system fairer

PROPOSALS: Council tax could increase for higher bands in a bid to make the system fairer

Introducing the proposals was public finance minister Tom Arthur who explained that presently, the burden currently falls on those in lower bands when considered as a proportion of the value of their property.

He said: “The changes would only affect around a quarter of properties and even after they are taken into account, average council tax in Scotland would still be less than anywhere else in the UK.

“We know that many people are struggling with their finances and our council tax reduction scheme is there to ensure nobody has to pay a council tax bill they cannot be expected to afford, regardless of what band they are in.”

It is understood that in Clacks, those in band E – representing around 3,500 properties – would pay £139.04 more in a year.

Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart said: “These bombshell council tax rises being proposed by the SNP government will terrify local residents right across the Clackmannanshire Council area.

“Many of them are already grappling with the current cost of living, so increases of this scale would be a hammer blow to their personal and household finances.

"Our residents right across the Wee County should not be bearing the brunt of the SNP failing to give local authorities such as Clacks Council the resources they have needed year after year.

"But, typically, SNP-Green ministers are once again passing the buck to councils such as ours to make impossible decisions.”

To respond to the government consultation, visit tinyurl.com/3rynsc94.