Orkney council tax to rise by 6% and World Cup holiday rejected

It follows an increase last year of 15%, which was one of the highest in Scotland. The rise for 2026-27 would see households in an average band D property pay an annual bill of £1,669.07. Councillors have also agreed that staff should not get a public holiday to mark Scotland men's team participation in this summer's World Cup due to the costs involved. A short meeting of the full council ratified both decisions which were last week agreed by Orkney Islands Council's policy and resources committee. Officials said the 6% rise would maintain the islands' rate at around the national average. It has already been decided that council tax in Aberdeenshire is to go up by 10%. Councillors in Moray also backed a 10% increase. Meanwhile, council tax in Shetland will rise by 7.3%. In Aberdeen, a rise of 6.8% was approved. Last month, the Scottish government said its Budget delivered record funding of almost £15.7bn for local authorities, a real-terms increase of 2%. It was also agreed OIC staff would not get the World Cup holiday with the additional cost expected to be between £100,000 and £120,000. There were also concerns about the impact it would have on services. First Minister John Swinn