COUNCIL tax is to go up by three per cent in Fife.

Members of Fife Council approved the proposals which will see an average band D bill rise to £1,319.22, a measure which is likely to being in over £5.2 million to the local authority.

Council house rents and rent for homeless temporary accommodation will also go up by 2.5 per cent

The joint administration's co-leader, Councillor David Ross, said this year's budget aimed to protect local services tackle poverty, support recovery from the pandemic and provide a "solid financial foundation" for new councillors after the May elections in what are "difficult and uncertain" times.

"The prudent approach we have taken to council finances means we will be able to avoid any cuts to services at least for the coming year," he said.

"In Fife we are very much aware of the impact of the rise of the cost of living is having on individuals and families. We gave a lot of thought if we could avoid the increase but concluded that three per cent is required in order to avoid damaging costs to services which could up to 150 job losses.

"To freeze council tax would mean not only a shortfall of £5m this year and the year after that and the year after that and so on.

"This budget aims to protect and maintain local support services. We recognise the financial pressures on householders and the financial pressures faced by the council.

"It sustains services for the coming year and it provides the foundation for the new council to set out its medium and long term priorities in what will undoubtedly be uncertain and difficult times."

While increasing council tax and rents, investment was also announced which will see £0.75m allocated for street cleaning, £1.325m into the road maintenance budget, £0.7m for area budgets, £0.150m into Cafe Inc, £0.250m for community growing initiatives, £0.3m into community recovery initiatives and £0.216m into Tourism and Environmental Management.

Fellow council co-leader, Cllr David Alexander, said the budget, overall, was a positive one. "We are leaving a legacy for the new administration," he commented.