Scottish Conservative Councillor Isabelle Mackenzie has commented on the latest Highland Council Budget proposals:
"It is important to acknowledge the challenges that pensioners face and find ways to reduce the financial burden on them. A balance needs to be struck between maintaining essential local services and protecting those who are most vulnerable. We should acknowledge and support the Third Sector Interface (TSI) groups who do a huge amount to support residents in helping with claiming benefits.
Pensioners on fixed incomes in the Highlands (and other areas) are likely to feel the strain of rising costs, especially when council tax increases are added on top of the already higher cost of living here. It's a significant issue for many in this demographic.
The combination of an increased council tax budget and the cost of living going up — from groceries to energy bills — puts pressure on those with fixed income sources. A pensioner living in rural or semi-rural areas like the Highlands might face additional challenges, as transport and access to affordable services can be limited.
A lower council tax rise for pensioners or those on a fixed income could offer some relief, especially as many already face difficulty in managing household budgets.
If Councillors supports plans by the ruling administration to increase council tax by 7% we are going to hit residents hard. As an Older People’s Champion, I will not vote for pensioners and others in similar situations to pay 7% more - especially when there is an alternative budget (as proposed in detail by the Scottish Conservatives) that would need only a 3% increase.
With the administration budget aiming to get just 0.3% efficiency savings, do you really think this council is 99.7% efficient?"
