The council had a budget gap of £8.667 million for the year ahead, which will be closed through £3.17m worth of identified efficiency savings, using £1.046m from reserves and implementing the Council Tax increase.

Council leader Owen O’Donnell outlined that setting this year’s budget had been made even tougher than expected due to a change in the way that adult social care funding is distributed across the country.

The updated national formula that determines how councils receive funding for social care services will mean East Renfrewshire sees an £8.6m cut to its funding over the coming years.

Despite this funding reduction, the council agreed to increase the money provided to East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership by an additional £2m, to provide stability and ensure that vulnerable residents continue to receive the care and support they need.

Councillor O’Donnell said: “We received a very poor budget settlement this year, including an £8.6m permanent cut to our adult social care distribution over the coming years. This is at a time when demand for our services is rising year on year, particularly due to our ageing population.

“Despite these financial challenges, we have acted responsibly and decisively in delivering a balanced budget that protects vital services while maintaining the financial stability of the council and progressing on our ambitions for the future. East Renfrewshire is acknowledged as a very high performing council, and we are determined to keep delivering excellent services for our residents.”

The proposals set out in the budget papers were approved and will now be taken forward by the council.