Only three councils in Wales have so far frozen council tax levels - with only four authorities yet to declare their plans - but average rises of 2.1% are the lowest on record, latest figures indicate.

While Caerphilly and Monmouthshire – which both froze the levy last year - are joined by Swansea in choosing to maintain existing levels, 15 councils have raised charges.  

Among these authorities, Anglesey has proposed the biggest single hike of 5% payable on a Band D property, blaming a reduced settlement from the Welsh Assembly Government, while Conwy is considering a 4% increase.

However, average council tax hikes are expected to be lower than the 3% seen across Wales in the last financial year – with 11 authorities including Merthyr Tydfil and Gwynedd seeking to set tax raises of between 2.2-3.5%.

A spokesman for the Welsh Government welcomed the fact local authorities are forecasting a record low increase for council tax in 2012/13.  ‘Council tax levels are on average 18% lower than in England, reflecting the better funding settlement provided by the Welsh government compared with England,' they added.

Rodney Berman, finance spokesman for the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said: ‘Councils want to minimise the financial impact of council tax increases on these families while ensuring that the vital local services they rely on continue to be provided.'

WLGA leader John Davies praised ‘the determined effort by councils to strike a balance between providing these vital services but also limiting the pressure on hard-pressed households'.