Council Tax and Scottish Water Bills

The first batch of bills notifying householders of their Council Tax and Scottish Water charges for 2008-09 will be dropping through letter boxes from Friday (29 February). Around 109,000 notices will be posted over the coming few weeks.

The Highland Council has frozen the Council Tax for 2008/09 at 2007/08 levels.  However, customers will see an increase in their total payments because Scottish Water bills have increased as approved by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland’s final determination for the period 2006-10.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Council’s Resources Committee, said:  “To avoid duplication of effort and cost, the Council administers and collects water charges on behalf of Scottish Water.  We receive a payment from Scottish Water for providing this service. So customers will be receiving a combined bill for their Council Tax and Scottish Water charges.  While the Council has decided to keep the Council Tax at the same level as 2007/08, water charges are increasing slightly.  This will impact on the total amount each householder pays.”

The Council Band D for 2008/09 has been frozen at £1,163. 

Thanks to 64,000 householders paying by Direct Debit the Council’s collection rate is a respectable 95.4%.

Scottish Water’s water and waste water charges are increasing slightly.  For a Band D property the combined water and waste water charges have increased from £365.85 to £379.53 - a difference of £13.68.