Midlothian councillors vote to freeze council tax

Midlothian councillors have voted to freeze council tax while making no cuts to services as they agreed the authority's £297.9m budget.

But the plans did include a 5% rise in rent for local authority tenants.

Plans for a new high school and extending some primary schools have also been 'removed' from council proposals in order to save £80m.

However, the proposals will be considered again at a later date, the council said.

A 5% council tax rise for next year was modelled in the budget report but councillors did not vote on it.

At the full council meeting on Tuesday, Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry said: "When we sat in this chamber this time last year we had a budget gap of over £7m staring at us, so it's a welcome reprieve for our residents and our partners that are affected by budgetary decisions to see us present a balanced budget."

She acknowledged that with a projected budget gap of £20.8m by 2028/29 and the fastest growing population of any local authority in Scotland, difficult decisions lay ahead.

She said the tax freeze would relieve "intolerable" pressure on families.

Colin Cassidy, Midlothian Council's deputy leader, said: "I think this is a good day for Midlothian Council. It is the first time I have walked into the chambers on budget day without crowds of protestors outside and staff and workers in fear of losing jobs.

"This is a grown up council we have here and one of the few in the country to return a budget like this to date."