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<i>From OIC Updates:</i><br>
You'll be aware from local press coverage today that the Council has
ratified the decision to increase Council Tax by 10%. <br>
That increase comes with a vow that we will continue push the
Scottish Government for a resolution to the long running disparity
between the funding we receive and the funding received by other
island authorities. <br>
Did you know that, per head of population, Orkney receives funding
of £360 (10.7%) less than Shetland and £707 (21.1%) less than
Western Isles for 2023/24 from the Scottish Government? <br>
Read our press release from today's meeting here -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7275">https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7275</a>.<br>
Read our budget explainer here -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7223">https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7223</a>.<br>
Listen to the previous meeting of the Policy and Resources meeting
here where elected members discuss the need for the increase -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://soundcloud.com/orkney-islands-council/oic-special-policy-and-resources-committee-23rd-february-2023">https://soundcloud.com/orkney-islands-council/oic-special-policy-and-resources-committee-23rd-february-2023</a>.<br>
Read the budget papers here -
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.orkney.gov.uk/council-meetings.htm">https://www.orkney.gov.uk/council-meetings.htm</a>.<br>
If you are struggling with costs, don't struggle on alone, there is
help and support available - <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.orkney.gov.uk/helpinghand">www.orkney.gov.uk/helpinghand</a>.
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