Scottish Budget: Shona Robison to unveil tax and spending plans

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland News Correspondent

Councils are waiting to hear if they will be
able to increase the council tax next year.

They also want to know whether any increases
will be capped, which means they would be limited to a certain amount.

Last year’s unexpected council tax freeze
strained relations between the Scottish government and councils.

It was about more than money. There was an
issue of principle at stake for some councils.

True local democracy, it is argued, means
councils need more powers to raise money for themselves rather than merely
decide how to spend it.

That includes the power to raise the council
tax by any amount. If local voters are unhappy, the argument goes, they
can make their feelings clear at the local elections.

Since 2007, the council tax has generally
either been frozen or increases have been capped by Holyrood.

The council tax is a relatively small part
of each council’s budget but whether it goes up is hugely symbolic
because it is paid by every household.

If increases are permitted, individual
councils will take their decisions on the council tax in around two months’
time.