Local authority unveils tax cut

The reduction bucks the trend of increases by most councils

A local authority has unveiled a surprise cut in council tax.

Inverclyde Council announced a 0.65% cut in its council tax rate for the coming year. The authority said jobs and services would not be affected.

The move reduces average Band D council tax by £8 a year, to £1,198, on what the authority called an important day.

The reduction bucks the trend, with an average rise of 1.9% across Scotland. The last Scottish council to implement a cut was Dundee in 2001.

Council leader Alan Blair said: "This is a very important day for Inverclyde and demonstrates sound financial management by the council.

"The council's finances are in the healthiest state they have ever been and this demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the people of Inverclyde to ensure that every penny is spent wisely."