Highland Council rated eighth worst authority in Scotland for value to money according to survey by finance experts
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Highland Council has been rated as the eighth worst authority in Scotland for value for money according to the latest figures.
The survey, which was carried out by experts at Money, analysed a variety of council services across Scotland – including fire service response time, recycling levels, road conditions, crime rate, percentage of good or outstanding schools and care homes – to reveal in which district council tax goes the furthest.
Highland Council's road maintenance score was rated at 1.29 out of 10, its household waste recycling scored 2.9 out of 10, the crime score was 6.45 out of 10 and its overall rating was 2.66 out of 10.
The worst rated council was Clackmannanshire with an overall score of 1.81 out of 10 and Moray was rated as the ninth best authority with an overall score of 4.55 out of 10.
And the top two councils were both in the northern Isles – Orkney Islands with an overall score of 7.65 out of 10 and Shetland Islands which scored 6.78 out of 10.
James Andrews, a finance expert at Money, offered guidance on how to check you’re not overpaying your council tax and tips on how to get a reduction.
He said: "With council tax bills rising by around three per cent in April it might come as good news for many that 46.1 per cent of tax challenges made last year succeeded in reducing their band. As property valuations were roughly done back in 1991, it’s possible that your house was misvalued."
He advised residents to check with neighbours and compare council tax bands with neighbouring properties of a similar size and style – in addition check online at: Scottish Assessors' Association and use a house price valuation tool such as Nationwide’s.
He added: "See if you are eligible for a council tax discount – if you live alone for instance, or you’re the only adult in the household living with under-18s, you can get 25 per cent off your council tax bills.
"If you are a full-time student taking a one-year long course, or dedicate 21 hours of studying per week, you are exempt from paying. Check your local council's site to see who else is entitled to discounts.
"If you think you’re paying too much council tax, you can make a challenge. But bear in mind this is a reassessment process that doesn’t automatically reduce your council tax."
• To read the full report visit Money.
