Two local authorities which failed to keep their council tax rise under 5% have appealed against the Government's threat to cap them.

York City Council and ~Medway Council~ both announced increases of 5.5%, and had 21 days from the end of March to make their appeals. Local government minister Phil Woolas commended the majority of authorities for keeping council tax low, but said ‘regrettably', a small number had set excessive budgets and action had to be taken.