CEREDIGION council taxpayers have seen bills rise by a staggering 176 per cent since 1997, while Powys residents have faced an even bigger increase, figures have shown.

But despite the massive increase in council tax in the county, it is still lower than the average increase across Wales, 187 per cent, in the same time period and also lower than the increase in Powys.

The Welsh Conservatives have warned that the increasing burden being put on taxpayers is likely to continue, with further rises in council tax bills, but reduced provision of council services looking more likely.

Figures show that the average Band D council tax bill in Ceredigion in the 1996/97 financial year was just over £510, but have soared to £1,412 for the 2017/18 financial year.

The last five years under the Plaid-led coalition that took control of the council in 2013/14 have seen an increase of 22 per cent in the county council portion of the council tax across that period, at a time when the council has seen its funding from the Welsh Government significantly reduced, forcing the authority to impose above inflation council tax increases, while also cutting services.

But the Welsh Conservative’s shadow local government secretary, Janet Finch-Saunders, warned that situation was likely to continue.

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