Peter Black AM: "Council's have enough"

The biggest hike will be in Monmouthshire, where a rise of 13 per cent is planned.

But the Deputy Local Government Minister, Peter Black, argues that council's have been given enough money to keep rises to a minimum.

"If they follow the guidelines we've set them they should be able to achieve the three per cent average council tax," he said.

'No choice'

"Ultimately it's up to them, if they want to go above that then that's their decision and they have to be answerable to their local electorate for their decisions."

But councils have said their financial burdens are increasing and the targets set by the Assembly's administration are unrealistic.

They said they have no choice but to put taxes up by the amount necessary for them to deliver their services.

But Local Government Minister Edwina Hart has warned in the past she will not hesitate to use her powers if councils step out of line.