Gwynedd ratepayers are facing a higher then expected council tax hike.

Last week the council’s audit committee recommended a 5.5 per cent increase but Cabinet members last week backed a 5.8 per cent rise.

As a result, ratepayers from Abergwyngregyn to Aberdyfi will face paying an extra £75.69 a year –  as opposed to £71.53 if the 5.5 per cent were adopted.

But the rise means some  unpopular measures including a 20 per cent cut to the women’s aid budget and reducing the council’s contribution to the Youth Justice Service by seven per cent will not now go ahead as councillors look to  protect services such as libraries, refuse collection and free Christmas parking.

Proposing the increase at a meeting in Caernarfon, Cllr Dafydd Meurig said: “I realise that the library service isn’t a statutory one but is one that’s important to people, and given the relative small amounts we’re talking about here I would like to offer an amendment that they continue to be funded.”

Council leader Dyfrig Siencyn  slammed both the Welsh and Westminster Governments for a “diabolical financial settlement”.

“If there is any consolation to be had, it’s that of our strong control on the budget to try and defend those services that are important to the people of Gwynedd.

“We must continue to take up every opportunity to press the Welsh Government to improve the settlement to local government.”

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online now