CLYDEBANK’S householders face a maximum three per cent rise in council tax as West Dunbartonshire politicians prepare to set their budget for the year ahead.

Revised figures were posted before the council meeting on Wednesday after the Scottish Greens secured an extra boost for the area from the Scottish Government.

But West Dunbartonshire still projects shortfalls in the budget in coming years and will draw on the reserves to avoid cuts in 2017/18.

Band D properties will see their tax rise from £1,163 to £1,198, state council papers.

The figure excludes charges for water and sewerage which are set outwith the council. The current estimate for those on a Band D property is an extra £430.56, up from £423.90.

That means residents will pay £1,628.56 instead of £1,586.90 last year.

The 10 per cent discount from council tax on second homes will end in April, applying to 74 homes in West Dunbartonshire and netting the council an extra £13,000.

Council officers also want the future of non-domestic rates to be considered later after a revaluation currently underway is finished.

But they think it likely that rateable values in shopping centres and high streets will fall, “possibly significantly”.

The projected funding gap for 2018/19 will now be £5.9 million – up from £5.3 million, and £9.4 million in 2019/20. If no savings are found this year, those gaps will increase.

The Labour administration said they have continued to invest in the area even as Westminster has cut funds.

Council leader Martin Rooney said: “Despite year-on-year cuts from the UK and Scottish Government, this Labour administration has continued to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in public infrastructure in order to improve our schools, care homes, housing, roads and public buildings.

“We have successfully secured significant additional external investment and have invested more in our communities than all previous West Dunbartonshire administrations put together.

“As a council we have also invested in services for our residents in terms of jobs, apprenticeships and training and in our early years, primary and secondary schools, in order to support our citizens so that they can maximise their potential.

“Our massive investment in regeneration initiatives will help to transform our area and create job opportunities for the future.This budget will continue our focus on growing our economy, investing in people, communities and infrastructure to ensure a positive future for West Dunbartonshire and its people.”

The SNP await more information from officers before they put forward an alternative budget.

Group leader Jonathan McColl said: “The SNP are still working on our budget plans and we won’t be in a position to confirm our proposals in advance of the meeting.

“I’m still waiting for detailed information from council officers about the potential impact on jobs and services of the cuts that Labour confirmed they would be taking at the December meeting.

“Even before the extra £2.3 million from the Scottish Government for West Dunbartonshire’s budget was announced, there was no need for the administration to be proposing service cuts.

“If they do, it will be a clear political choice and one that our constituents will remember when they go to the ballot box in May.”

New council tax rates (excluding water and sewerage) A* – £665.49 (up from £646.11) B – £798.59 (up from £775.33) C – £932.70 (up from £904.56) D – £1,198 (up from £1,163.00) E** – £1,464.08 (up from £1,421.44) F** – £1,730.29 (up from £1,679.89) G** – £1,996.48 (up from £1,938.33) H** – £2,395.78 (up from £2,326) * – Band A property to get Disabled Banding Reduction.

** – Bands E-H face increased Scottish Government rates.