EAST Lothian Greens have called on East Lothian Council to consider raising council tax to “prevent further drastic cuts to services and jobs”.

The local authority, which does not feature any Green councillors, sets its budget on Tuesday morning, with a lengthy meeting planned for Haddington’s Town House.

Council leader Willie Innes has already confirmed there are no plans to raise council tax.

Jason Rose and Isla Aitken, Green campaigners, claim a modest council tax increase of just four per cent would break the deadlock and provide almost £2 million to invest in frontline services and community facilities.

Mr Rose said: “The council tax is discredited and must end.

“Freezing it was a sticking plaster approach when the recession hit but for years now it has simply been putting more money in the pockets of those who need it least.

“The current Labour-led administration does not have to accept another year of the tax freeze, with cuts hitting the weakest.

“Rather than such a stark reaction to poor national governance, they could be responding constructively to protect local people and jobs.

“It is also irresponsible of SNP councillors to hide from reality.

“Their party, in government, has chosen to throttle councils despite the importance of services.”

At the moment, the Band D level of council tax is £1,117.62 a year.

A four per cent increase would add £44.70 a year – 86p a week, resulting in £1.95 million additional revenue to offset the planned cuts by the council and compensate for the £1.4 million the Scottish Government would claw back for breaking the freeze.

Mrs Aitken added: “It’s unacceptable that our councillors don’t want to take control over their budgets.

“Freedom for local government to raise funds in different ways is taken for granted in other European countries yet here we have a centralised state.

“I was appalled to see the council consulting on a rise in homelessness charges – a policy councillors have apparently already agreed, making a mockery of the consultation.

“East Lothian Greens are putting forward a constructive suggestion to raise funds.”