Council tax is poised to rise by the maximum permitted amount in the Western Isles in an attempt to reduce cuts to services.
The authority says the Scottish Government’s proposed local government settlement announced earlier this month equates to a £900,000 reduction for services.
Extra funding has been provided with £600,000 ring-fenced for health and social care investment and a further £1.1million for the expansion of early years education.
However, once cost rises due to inflation are taken into account with a possible 3% rise in council tax and new spending commitments the deficit remains £4.4million.
A Western Isles Council spokesman said: “Proposals in a report to be considered next week by the Comhairle include an increase in council tax of 4.84%.
“For 77% of Western Isles residents this would result in an increase of £1.01 or less per week. The Comhairle already has the lowest council tax level in Scotland. This would reduce the deficit by £187,000.”
Talks will be held on Thursday to finalise £2.6million of savings through measures including reducing the roads maintenance budget, reviewing school staffing and reducing grass cutting to the “minimum essential”.
The remaining £1.6million gap is expected to be financed from reserve funding.
The arrangements are subject to change with the Scottish Government budget due to be finalised on March 5 with Westminster following on March 11.