COUNCIL tax could have been increased by 4.5 per cent under draft budget proposals, finance bosses told senior councillors at a meeting.

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat administration put forward a draft budget to increase council tax by 3.25 per cent, with extra money proposed for adult social care and children’s services as well as libraries, waste collection and roads.

Council leader Ian Gillies said: “Would we like to do more? You bet your life we would. But unfortunately we can’t. All our money comes from the public purse. There are those in this city who are going to have trouble paying more council tax and we have to bear them in mind.”

Ian Floyd, director of corporate services at the council, said the extra 3.25 per cent was “significantly below” the maximum increase. The draft budget will be discussed at full council.