Council tax is Aberdeenshire is to rise by 10% as officials agreed to the hike during crunch talks at Woodhill House to slash spending and save money.
During the meeting, Aberdeenshire Council leader Gillian Owen highlighted the rising elderly population in the region was piling pressure on the council's accounts.
She warned, The Press and Journal reports, that sweeping changes would be required, adding: "The demography of Aberdeenshire is one where the child and working population is decreasing, in contrast to our pensionable population.
“Those living in the region aged over 85 is projected to rise by 37% by 2030.
“That is a huge shift in the ageing population who require different support from the council and care services.”
As part of a plan to save £15million over the next year, the local authority will proceed with cuts to nursery sessions over the holidays