COUNCIL tax in Blaenau Gwent is to rise by 9.3 per cent in April.

The county borough council agreed the increase at its budget meeting - and it means Band D property owners in Blaenau Gwent region will now pay an average of £977.21.

It is the third year in succession that the tax has risen by around nine per cent.

But the increase is the second lowest in Gwent this year - with Caerphilly setting the lowest at 7 per cent.

Blaenau Gwent council leader John Hopkins said that despite the lowest budgetary increase in Wales from the National Assembly - 5.7 per cent - the council was able to keep the council tax rise down.

"We are also able to continue to provide quality service and are able to increase budget for education, social services and highways," he said.

"We want to send a message out that this council can provide good services - but we will not be able to embark on many new initiatives the authority would like to see."

Councillor Hopkins added that unlike many authorities, the council was able to keep its old people's homes and were providing high quality services with little resources by making the best use of resources possible.

He said the average increase from the Assembly across Wales this year was 6.5 per cent - and up to ten per cent for some authorities - but that Blaenau Gwent had received just 5.7 per cent increase.

He added the settlement from the Assembly was based on an outdated formula that failed to take deprivation into account.

Including police and community council precepts, Band D owners' council tax bills this year will be:

* Abertillery and Llanhilleth - £976.97

* Brynmawr - £976.83

* Nantyglo and Blaina - £979.32

* Tredegar - £989.74

* Ebbw Vale - £963.22

Torfaen council has set its council tax at 14 per cent, Monmouthshire at 13.9 per cent and Newport at 9.8 per cent.