Fife Council budget: 5% Council Tax rise gets rare backing across political divide
Fife Council has set its budget for 2026/27 and confirmed a Council Tax rise of 5% - one of the lower increases expected to be announced by local authorities across Scotland.
The increase was backed by all the main parties from the minority Labour administration to the SNP opposition group, Lib Dems and Conservatives.
While the rise takes effect from April 1, it means the local authority can close a £3.626m funding gap. Water and sewerage charges - which are set nationally – will rise by 8.67%.
Health and Social Care remains under significant pressure, and the Labour administration is increasing investment to help meet growing demand.
This includes passing on £2.666m in recurring funding from the Scottish Government to the Health and Social Care Partnership, a further £2.834m of new council investment, bringing additional support to £5.5m, allocating Fife’s share of the national Real Living Wage funding directly to the partnership - and an extra £200,000 to further extend the successful mental health response car to cover more of Fife.
Education budgets will rise in line with inflation and national pay awards.
An additional £500,000 is going to provide more Pupil Support Assistants and Additional Needs staff, with £250,000 to the school library service, £200,000 for school swimming - rising to £300,000 in 2027/28 - £100,000 for an immersive classroom pilot at a Fife secondary school, £75,000 for language learning, £00,000 to support young carers and £100,000 for Fife Youth Orchestra.
The council has also committed over £1million to support anti‑poverty initiatives, including the Scottish Welfare Fund - and there’s an extra £3.5m to be invested in local roads, split evenly across the area committees. Environmental issues include £230,000 to improve flood monitoring and warning systems, £150,000 for climate adaptation, and last year’s £100,000 increase Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to be made permanent
Other local projects receiving funding include Flexi‑Bus expansion, the Twin Town Olympiad, facility upgrades with Glenrothes Strollers, and initial work on a proposed ‘Beyond Scotland’ visitor attraction.
There is an extra £1million for additional regeneration activity in Kirkcaldy, a further £5.9m to enhance the new Inverkeithing swimming pool with gym and dry‑side facilities and the Conservative’s bid for £500,000 to futureproof Burntisland Burgh Chambers was agreed. Other key decisions saw £250,000 for a new Employability Skills Centre and £200,000 for further improvements at Lochore Meadows.
Councillor David Ross, leader of the administration, said: “This is a responsible and balanced budget that protects local services at a time of continued financial and service demand pressures.
“Although we face a real‑terms reduction in core funding, we have worked constructively across political groups and listened closely to the public.”
He added: “This budget maintains our commitment on council tax, supports our most vulnerable residents, and provides targeted investment where demand is greatest - particularly in health and social care, education, and local infrastructure. Our focus remains firmly on delivering for the people of Fife.”
Councillor James Calder, leader of the Lib Dems at Fife House, welcomed some of his party’s priorities being included in the budget.
“We have led the way in supporting young people in Fife,” he said. “Our motions ensured we took action on school swimming and supporting young carers, and we are pleased that these will now be enacted on by Fife Council.
"We also welcome extra funding for more pupil support assessments in our schools.
"We also have funding to tackle the climate emergency including climate adaptation funding and flood protection measures. While there are a few things missing, such as extra funds for tackling digital poverty and for local communities, we felt it was best to support the Administration budget."