Councils' ability to  raise revenue is important for our ability to ensure the long-term health of our environment, COSLA has said.

COSLA's Environment and Economy Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, commented:

"Councils play a key role in ensuring the wellbeing of communities across Scotland. One way this is achieved is through ongoing work to ensure the long-term health of our natural and built environment. From buses and cycle lanes that provide us with low carbon travel options, to protecting our biodiversity and green spaces. In recent years, councils are under greater pressure to deliver more with less funding. The impact of this has been particularly felt in local capital budgets, with the ability of our councils to invest in and maintain the natural and built environment increasingly under pressure. The past council tax freeze put them under even more pressure by preventing councils from raising their own revenue to invest in our local environment and economy. That’s why COSLA has consistently supported the ability of our councils to raise vital revenue through the few options that are currently available, such as both council tax and local visitor levies."