A Helensburgh councillor has hit out at plans to raise council tax levels for more expensive properties.

The higher rates for bands E, F, G and H proposed by the Scottish Government could bring in a maximum of £4million to Argyll and Bute Council's coffers, as they struggle to mitigate cuts in funding from that same government.

But Councillor Gary Mulvaney, depute leader of the council, said residents should not be punished with higher taxes to make up for government cuts.

The majority of council taxpayers in Argyll and Bute would not be affected by the changes.

A consultation has been launched to have a sliding scale raising bands E, F, G and H by 7.5%, 12.5%, 17.5% and 22.5%, to address concerns about the fairness of the charge.

The SNP has repeatedly pledged in elections to replace council tax entirely.

READ MORE: Argyll and Bute council tax: Plans to hike higher band rates

Cllr Mulvaney said: “The hikes will terrify local residents and they should not be bearing the brunt of the SNP’s failures to properly fund the council during their 16 years in office.

"In Helensburgh and Lomond, more than 6,000 households in band’s E to H will be affected, with more than 1,800 in the highest two bands having to pay an extra £800 per year, taking their council tax to nearly £4,500 a year.

"With average earning Scots already paying more than their English neighbours in income tax, this is yet another hammer blow to ambition and aspiration in SNP Scotland.

"I know how worried people are by these proposals and I’d urge everyone to make SNP-Green ministers aware of their concerns through their consultation.”

Based on calculations by the Advertiser of current council tax bands and the number of properties assessed at each band level, there would be a maximum of 15,555 homes affected across the local authority.

Those currently, at an ideal, bring in more than £34m to council coffers.

The rate hikes would bring that up to more than £38m, before any reductions or rebates.

There are more than 33,000 properties at bands A, B, C and D, or almost 59% of properties in the area.