DEBATE raged at the last meeting of Monmouthshire Council Council over the council tax resolution, with the leader slamming Blaenau Gwent authority's decision to increase it's council tax by a similar amount.

Council tax for Monmouthshire was set at a 4.95 per cent - almost exceeding the capping level set by the government and almost two percent above the English average - an increase which was questioned by members of the full council.

County Councillor Phil Hobson, who leads the opposition Liberal Democrats proposed a £100,000 reduction in recruitment adverts among several other things which did not win a vote.

He said schools and education should be top priorities. Councillor Bob Greenland said the Lib Dem's proposals "could be described as a bit of a damp squib."

Councillor Giles Howard told the meeting, "It's obvious to say there is never going to be 100 per cent satisfaction. On the whole cabinet have done a pretty good job.

Councillor Greenland added, "We would want there to be as a low tax as possible, particularly in the current economic crisis where we know tax payers are having to face very real pressures."

Leader of MCC, Councillor Peter Fox praised all his colleagues and staff for working "extremely hard over the last few months."

He said, "I am a little disappointed that our opposition didn't come forward with an alternative budget.

"It's a responsibility of an opposition to do that. I recognise that the budget was that good that there was very little found wrong with it.

"Let us be very clear. Blaenau Gwent receives £408 per person to deliver services more than we have.

"We have set the council tax at 4.95 per cent. Blaenau Gwent has probably £20m to £30m more to spend on these services for a small population.

"I can't understand why they are doing it when they clearly don't need to do that.

"We listen to what people say and what members say and we adjusted our proposals accordingly.

"I applaud Phil Hobson, he did try to alter the budget, I was pleased that he was content with social services.

"I welcome the liberal stance to try and thank them for supporting us as they have.

"Education is a priority in this council. We spend more than £34m in our schools and we are looking to pursue £100m investment in our secondary schools.

"It's going to be a difficult year ahead and we are going to have to mop up for many, many decades.

"I do commend this budget - it has been a long and arduous process but I believe this is the best possible budget to come forward."