Glenrothes’ leading councillor has said that he would sympathise with any decision by Fife Council to increase council tax.
Bill Brown, the chairman of the Glenrothes area committee, believes that the public would understand any decision to increase revenues if it secured local services.
Mr Brown, an independent councillor after leaving the SNP in May, said that David Ross, the Labour leader of the administration is right to consider a “modest” rise in the levy.
He told The Courier: “Last year two independent councillors spoke to groups of people about a council budget which included an increase to the council tax.
“The feedback they got was very positive for a modest increase to fund vital services.
“All councils are now facing significant cuts to their funding.
“At the same time, the Scottish Government has acknowledged that the present council tax system is no longer fit for purpose.
“Perhaps we should be considering that modest increase to our council tax.
“That extra money could fund health and social care, education and even our libraries.”
Council tax in Scotland has been frozen since 2008, while just last month Fife’s budget for the coming year was cut by £15.3 million.
Mr Ross has previously suggested that an increase in council tax could be used to offset central budget reductions, despite the threat of fines from the Scottish Government should they choose to proceed.
Mr Brown added: “We have all enjoyed the freeze on council tax, but we can’t continue to cut vital services.
“I am sure that most people would be prepared to pay a little more, perhaps 5, 6 or possibly 7%, to protect important services now, before a new fair system of council tax is introduced which will deliver what councils need.
“This is not a time to blame Westminster or Holyrood parliaments.
“I feel that the time has come to reconsider our needs and the needs of our community.”
In an exclusive interview with The Courier last month, Mr Ross said that he is “not ruling anything out” as Fife Council looks to balance its books.
Rory Mair, chief executive of council umbrella group Cosla, has also claimed that some local authorities are considering defying the Scottish Government by ending the council tax freeze and reducing teacher numbers to save money.