AT the time of writing, local councillors have just decided on Inverclyde’s budget.

Sadly, readers will now be hit with an 8.2 per cent hike to your council tax instead of a freeze.

This did not need to happen as the Scottish Government were providing the £2.9m to fully fund the council tax freeze.

The other vital part of this decision is that the £2.9m was baselined into future budgets.

So, not only have councillors voted against the council tax freeze for this year they have actually voted against the extra £2.9m for every year in the future.

So next year when budget discussions begin, there will be a £2.9m gap before any discussions begin. Make no mistake, Thursday night's decision will make Inverclyde poorer.

I want to thank the SNP councillors and independent councillor Lynne Quinn for voting to delay any decision until after the UK Government spring budget next week, similar to the actions of Orkney Council.

I am disappointed that Inverclyde Labour councillors and independent councillors Tommy McVey and Drew McKenzie voted to raise your council tax.

I was disappointed the two Conservative councillors, David Wilson and Graeme Brooks abstained.

So, over the next two years, your council tax will be increasing by 14.2 per cent when it didn’t need to.

You know who thank when your council tax letter comes in later in the month.

Instead of listening to the people of Inverclyde who want to see a council tax freeze as the cost of living continues to bite, the wishes of local people have been ignored.