The financial plan also addressed a nearly £30m gap in its capital budget for infrastructure such as roads reconstruction programmes, harbour investment, regeneration projects, bridge maintenance, maintaining social care, education and Live Argyll properties, and weather recovery work.

Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “In all the years I’ve been a councillor, this has been the most difficult budget to set. We considered every option to save the council services and local jobs that communities need. We campaigned for fair council funding for Argyll and Bute with CoSLA. We identified nearly £4m more savings without affecting services or jobs. We took steps to raise income such as doubling council tax on second homes. But Argyll and Bute still faced a multi-million-pound budget gap that threatened the council services people use every day.

“Our focus has to remain firmly on supporting people now, and on building the sustainable future we all want for Argyll and Bute. That focus cannot slip away in the face of severe and ongoing budget gaps.

“This service-saving budget is only possible with an increase in council tax. Council tax funds council services. Increasing council tax saves services.

“It was a difficult decision to take but it is the responsible one. Council tax reduction benefits are there to help those in greatest need. And communities across the area can continue to rely on the council services and support they need.”

The budget provides funding for social care and Live Argyll services as well as for the full range of council services.

It also provides support for additional leisure, tourism, regeneration and other initiatives:

• International Eight Metre Association World Cup - £10k
• Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative - £75k
• CHARTs (Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly) - £75k
• Screen Machine - £28k
• Mid Argyll Community Pool - £30k
• Mactaggart Leisure – Islay Pool - £30k
• Environmental Warden Service increase - £45k
• Cost of living support - £57k+ with proposals to be developed to support the Community Food Forum, ALIEnergy, Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau and Bute Advice Centre.

There will be no increase to school meal charges in 2024/25, and the council rejected proposals for phased reductions in third sector and community grants, and strategic events and festivals funding.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, policy lead for financial services, said: “The Scottish Government funding settlement available to the council on the basis of a council tax freeze would have meant cuts to services. Decisions made today keep services going for our communities. Decisions made today keep investment going in Argyll and Bute’s future.”