The organisation that represents councils in Wales says that council tax will rise by an average of 2.9% in the coming year. The WLGA says this will mean that households in Wales will pay over £200 less on average than those in England. The increase will work out on average at £27 over a year.
This prediction is based on a survey of councils across Wales, although not all councils have yet finalised their budgets.
In England council tax is expected to rise by an average of 1.1% according to the the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Welsh councils are seeking to maintain their efforts to keep council tax rates down as low as possible, but it is inevitable that bills will rise given the current economic circumstances. Local government is experiencing unprecedented financial pressures due to the poor economic climate, real terms cuts to grant funding and UK Government reform of the Welfare state. Our focus is on getting the balance right for our citizens.
More will pay council tax -and it will cost more to collect, AMs are warned
by Nick Powell
Council tax benefit regulations being rushed through the Senedd today mean 70% of claimants will have to pay some council tax for the first time, AMs have been told. They've been specially recalled from their Christmas recess for today's debate after the Welsh government rewrote the regulations.
The first draft was blocked by the opposition when AMs were given no time to consider the proposals before voting on them. The Welsh Government said it was because the Treasury didn't tell them how much funding there would be for the benefit until late on the last day of the Assembly autumn term.
Today David Melding, who chaired the committee that examined the revised regulations, said they now include a "sunset clause" that means there will have to be another debate next year. He added that with most claimants now paying tax, it will cost more to collect -and probably more unpaid bills.
Welsh Conservatives 'agree deal' with Welsh Government over suspending standing orders
by Adrian Masters
It appears the Welsh Government may have done enough to avoid a recall of the Assembly.
The Welsh Government wants to suspend Assembly standing orders so it can OK council tax benefit rules without the required vote but it needs a two thirds majority.
Last night, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats were hostile and wanted Assembly recall. The Tories were split, with leadership favouring a deal.
This morning, the Welsh Conservatives say that discussions are continuing although I understand they have agreed a deal with Welsh Government.
Plaid is now willing to support the Welsh Government if the Local Government Minister assures them AMs will be able to review and change council tax benefit rules later.
Without that assurance, Plaid will vote against the Welsh Government's move to suspend standing orders.
Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams tells Adrian Masters that "Cardiff is a perfect example of what Welsh Liberal Democrat councils have achieved over the last four years."
North Wales Police Authority plans for council tax rise
Members of the North Wales police authority have rejected a move to recommend that the council tax precept should rise by 5% in 2013.
Members opted to call for a 4% increase between 2013 and 2015, although it was claimed this would require a further cut of 20 officers, 32 PCSOs and 28 staff
The precept is the part of council tax that goes towards providing key services like police and firefighters
It comes after the authority voted last month the rise at 2.5% for this year, resulting in a shortfall of nearly £900,000.
The next budget will be decided by a Police Commissioner, to be elected in November
The Welsh Government is facing renewed calls to freeze council tax, following a decision in England to keep it at its current level. Only four councils here will implement a freeze. Ministers here say council tax is already lower in Wales and levels are up to individual councils
