RENFREWSHIRE Council's budget has been slammed as "the worst of both worlds" after local families were hit by a tax rise of almost five per cent.

The SNP administration pushed through its budget plans at a full council meeting today.

It means a hike of 4.79 per cent – the highest possible increase – in council tax bills from April 1.

READ MORE: SNP wins fight to pass Renfrewshire Council budget

Conservative councillors had backed a Labour amendment which would have seen council tax bills frozen.

Maurice Golden, who represents West Scotland as a Tory MSP, said: “The SNP administration have pushed through a budget that is going to see families' bills rising, while at the same time failing to properly resource vital local services.

The Gazette: The Tories also hit out at MSP Derek Mackay The Tories also hit out at MSP Derek Mackay

“That is the worst of both worlds and is a failure of local MSP Derek Mackay, who also happens to be the SNP’s Finance Secretary and has failed to give our councils a fair funding deal yet again.

“As council leader, Iain Nicholson should have been pushing for more resources so that council tax didn’t have to rise by almost five per cent in order to bridge a funding gap, yet he and his SNP colleagues seemed happy to pass on the budget plans by their bosses in Edinburgh.”

Councillor James MacLaren, leader of the Conservative group in Renfrewshire, added: "We recognise the challenges families are facing in relation to their bills, which is why we backed moves to freeze council tax.

READ MORE: Council tax increase to 'benefit every single community in the area'

“We also recognise there are tough budget decisions to be made but hitting families with significant tax rises is not the way forward to grow our local economy.

“This is a direct result of the SNP government not providing enough resources to local authorities and it is time Derek Mackay stood up for the people he represents in Renfrewshire.

“There was no way that our group were going to support the SNP budget, which passed on the tax burden to families who are just about getting by.”

Derek Mackay welcomed the budget and said: “This is a good budget for Renfrewshire. I welcome the multimillion pound investment in Renfrewshire’s roads and footpaths. Potholes and footpath conditions is one of the main issues raised with me as local MSP so I know this is good news for everyone.

“Funding to support our high streets and local businesses is also welcome news, as is further investment in our schools."

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