COUNCIL tax-payers in Torfaen face a 5 per cent increase in their bills if the council's current working budget is approved in March.

The hike would mean the bill for a person living in a Band D house going up £46.90 - from £937.98 to £984.88.

But even if the rise is approved at Torfaen council's cabinet meeting on March 7, it could be deemed "excessive" by the National Assembly. The minister for local government and public services has stated that "there will be no justification for excessive increases in council tax".

Finance chiefs in Torfaen put the council's budget for next year at more than £140 million, with 17 per cent of that coming from council tax. In a report to the cabinet yesterday, the council's chief finance officer, Phillip Nash, said the Assembly input of £116 million had increased by 4.5 per cent.

Mr Nash said: "Although welcome, it (the settlement) nevertheless remains short of the all-Wales average."

While the education department is to benefit from a cash boost, concerns were expressed about the amount likely to go to social services. Councillors approved a budget boost of £800,000 to go solely for the benefit the 49 schools in the boroug.

Torfaen's executive member for education, Councillor John Turner, said: "It will make a difference, but it is also an indicator that education is going to be a priority for us in the future."

But assistant executive member for social services, Councillor Brian Mawby, warned: "Setting the budget at this level for social services means there is an element of risk.

"The social services settlement is not generous."