GWYNEDD tax payers are set to see a lower increase in council tax than originally planned after a decade of above-average rises.

The authority initially budgeted for a 3.97 per cent increase due to financial pressures, but that figure has been revised down to 2.8 per cent after a more generous Welsh Government settlement than anticipated, and the council successfully hitting savings targets.

Between 2008 and 2017, Gwynedd Council tax-payers have seen their bills rise by 37.1 per cent - four per cent higher than the Welsh average.

With the Welsh average increase likely to be around three per cent again for 2017/18, if the recommendation is given the go ahead, Gwynedd tax payers will see a rise below the Welsh average for the first time in six years.

A report into the draft budget said: “With no increase in the council tax rate, the tax yield for 2017/18 would be £60.6m.

“With an increase of 3.97 per cent (the assumption a year ago), the tax yield would be £63m, and we would be facing a gap of £6.5m in 2017/18. “As the savings programme is likely to exceed that gap by 2017/18, a lower increase is being considered.

“With an increase of 2.8 per cent, it is expected that the income from council tax will be £62.34m, and we would be facing a gap of £7.2m in 2017/18. This can be found from savings.”

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