COUNCIL taxes may have to rise if firefighters win more than 4% in the current pay negotiations.

That was the warning from the deputy chairman of the South Wales Fire Authority - who yesterday approved a budget that would only cover a 4% increase.

The meeting was held on the same day that the Bain report recommended an 11% rise over two years to be paid for through modernisation. They include the loss of 3,500 jobs across the UK made possible by changes to shift patterns.

David Waring, who is also leader of Monmouthshire council, spoke to the Argus after the authority approved the fire service budget for 2003- 2004.

Mr Waring said: "Modernisation would eventually pay for a larger rise but until that happens there would be a shortfall. We have had no reassurances from the government that they would cover the costs.

"If they do not come up with extra funds then we would have to go to local authorities for extra money which would mean more council tax."

He added: "I hope that Bain can form the basis of an agreement but I understand the FBU have already rejected it. There has to be modernisation, working practices are stuck in the past at the moment."

Mr Waring, who used to be an official with the Transport and General Workers Union, said the FBU had made tactical mistakes. He said: "Speaking personally and as a former union official I don't think they should have specified a figure like 40%. If they had said 'a substantial increase' it would make it easier to negotiate without seeming to back down." But his deputy at Monmouthshire council, Mike Smith, who is also an executive member of the FBU, rejected his criticism.

Mr Smith said: "I'm surprised David said that, if we had been vague and said 'a substantial amount' the next question would be how much is that? As for Bain he is looking to cut firefighters by 3,500 by reducing cover at night.

"The recent fire in Edinburgh started at night and was only stopped from causing a lot more damage and injury because there were sufficient firefighters to tackle it.

"People say you don't get a fire like that every night but where do you get the firefighters from when things like that do happen?

"Bain is not an expert and these findings contradict studies that have taken years to complete."