Facebook users don't 'like' Highland Council tax rise idea
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FACEBOOK poll conducted by Highland Council has descended into a scathing attack on the chief executive’s £142,926 salary.
The survey asked if people would be prepared to pay a bit more council tax to help keep services running and, if so, what rise would be acceptable.
At the last count yesterday, the majority, or 217 responders, said they did not want to pay any more council tax.
And there were questions about the take-home pay of the council’s highest earning official, Steve Barron.
One comment said: "He earns £142,926 plus a Brucie Bonus of £9K for officiating over the last general election."
This was followed by comments of "Far too much" and "That’s an obscene amount!".
The council tax poll was carried out after the council leader delivered a shock budget announcement earlier this week.
Spending chiefs previously thought that they would need to find savings of around £21 million to make the books balance in February.
However, it emerged on Monday that the council may have to find double that amount. Budget leader Bill Fernie said it could even be as high as £50 million.
The council’s finance chief Derek Yule warned of "significant cuts" but said raising council tax could be key to protecting some services from closure. The council is in its eighth year of a council tax freeze set by the Scottish Government.
The council’s plan for plugging the shortfall will not be published until after the Scottish Government announces its own budget on December 16.
The council tax poll on Facebook was drawn up to seek views on a potential rise.
By around midday on Wednesday, 81 people had posted comments and 386 had responded to the short questionnaire.
As many as 217 did not want to see the cost of council tax go up, 95 people said they would pay five per cent more, which would add about £5 per month to the bill for a band D property.
Fifty-five people said they would pay an extra 10 per cent – or £10 a month for a band D property. And just 19 people said they would consider paying even more than 10 per cent.
Most individuals who left comments were against a council tax rise.
One person said: "More people will need to use food banks and apply for hardship loans if you increase the council tax."
Speaking after the debate, Inverness and Nairn Scottish National Party MP Drew Hendry defended the current council tax freeze.
"The council tax freeze is fully funded by the Scottish Government therefore rejecting the settlement would mean that people in the Highlands would have to pay considerably more before any money would go to services.
"A rise in council tax coupled with the reduction in universal credit still planned by Chancellor George Osborne would push many working families right over the edge."
A council spokeswoman said the salary for the post of chief executive was agreed by national negotiations. She said: "Likewise, election payments are also set nationally.
"Returning Officers remuneration is set by the Scotland Office – the value is dependent on the number of registered electors and postal voters in each constituency."
