COUNCIL taxpayers in Monmouthshire can expect a hike in the amount they pay in the coming financial year – not because the local authority has increased its rates, but because Gwent Police have asked for a bigger precept.

Monmouthshire County Council moved to freeze council tax for residents of the county at last week's cabinet meeting, which will be confirmed at full council meeting on March 1.

Councillor Peter Fox said that it was to the authority's credit that it had been able to freeze council tax whilst protecting frontline services and added that Monmouthshire was one of only three authorities in Wales to recommend that no increase in council tax is imposed for the next financial year.

Abergavenny Town Council and surrounding community councils have also not increased their precepts, which is collected by means of the council tax and administered by Monmouthshire County Council.

But now the police authority have agreed a 2.66 percent rise in the money they take in from the council tax for policing services in 2012/13.

This means that the average band D household will pay about £193.09 for policing service for the coming year, which is an increase of around £5 on the current year.

The decision was taken by Gwent Police authority members whilst setting the force's £117,453,209 million budget and included £400,000 from its reserves to keep the increase to council tax payers as low as possible,

The meeting was told that the Gwent force was suffering from a 20 per cent reduction in the funds it receives from the government and at the same time needs to save £16.7 million over the next four years.

The police budget reports suggests there will be no recruitment of police officers or staff during the next financial year and implement the rule that officers who have reached 30 years service will be forced to retire.

Abergavenny Town and County Councillor Doug Edwards said: "In these hard times we have to be sensible and answer the call of the electorate to keep the council tax at an affordable level.

"We are obviously delighted that at both town and county levels that the status quo remains but it would have been nice if the police authority could also have set a zero rate increase.

"However we must respect law and order and the requirements needed for a safe community.

"As far as both councils are concerned we set out to achieve a positive outcome for local residents by not increasing the council tax as we have prioritised things that are important."