COUNCIL tax in the poorest part of Gwent is set to rise by around 10% for the third consecutive year, the Argus has learned.

But apart from Blaenau Gwent, other Gwent authorities are likely to see rises kept much lower.

New figures on council spending allowances for next year, which show a significant increase overall, are still likely to see 10% rises in four local authority areas in Wales - Merthyr, Neath, Port Talbot, and Wrexham will also be affected.

Both the council and the Assembly say it is too early to predict the level at which council tax may be set.

But the Argus has learned that a rise of 9%-10% is expected in Blaenau Gwent.

Last year's council tax for a Band D house was in the region of £782. A 10 per cent increase would mean a householder paying about £860. A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent council said: "Until the financial details are disclosed it's too early to speculate on council tax figures."

Cwm resident Llyn O'Leary said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting that, somehow or other, this can keep going on year after year.

"The poverty here is unbelievable in some pockets, and it's going to affect people on low wages and the whole family in the end.

"I hope someone calls a public meeting about it so it can be thrashed out although it may be too late for this year and I can imagine a lot of fury when this gets out."

At the Assembly, the message from local government minister Edwina Hart was consistent as ever: levels of council tax are a matter for individual authorities.

Under the partnership agreement between the Liberal Democrats and Labour, council tax rises are not supposed to be greater than 9%.

Most authorities will see a small increase in council tax, much like this year.

The agreement also commits the government to pay transitional cash to mitigate the effects of changes to the formula which calculates local government spending.