There will be tax increases across the region

Fifty extra officers - known as community beat managers - are being sought by North Wales Police.

A spokeswoman said the new officers will police small villages and rural areas in particular - but it is not yet known how they will be spread across the counties.

The money the force is asking for as part of its section of the council tax has increased by 31.5% to almost �125.

As a result Denbighshire is increasing its council tax by 9.8% next year.

Flintshire's Council tax will rise by 5.9% while Wrexham Council has set an increase of 5.3%.

Denbighshire councillor Ann Owens said the council tax rise was not the sole responsibility of the authority.

"The people of Denbighshire need to understand that the police authority's decision means that the overall tax increase is higher than 9.8%.

"The police authority is responsible for this," she said.

The average Band D property in the county will pay �790.82.

That does not include the police and local community council precepts.

Wrexham Council's deputy leader has also spoken out against the tax increases.

Alun Jenkins said the way council tax is billed and collected in Wales should change.

Central government

"Within the council's budget we have to include whatever the North Wales Fire Service, North Wales magistrates and the Flood Defence Committee tell us they need.

"We have done this and are recommending a council tax rise of �693 for Band D properties next year," he said.

However, council leader Shan Wilkinson said she did not blame the other bodies for the increases.

"We have to operate the system designed by central government," she said.

Flintshire Council has increased its council tax by 5.9%, excluding the North Wales Police and community council charges.