The Audit Commission says the government and regulators also put unusual costs on local councils.

But the watchdog also says that many councils did not look hard enough to save money instead of raising the burden on the taxpayers.

The average rise in council taxes throughout England has been 12.9%, despite the government hailing a record 5.9% increase in grants.

How have you been affected by the council tax rise? What should the government and local councils do now? Tell us what you think.

The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Adrian from the UK Do council tax increases represent value for money? And are they sustainable? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

Your reaction:

Yes, council taxes have risen beyond inflation but people should better understand why. Councils face problems like an increasing elderly population needing care, schools that need massive investment, roads and pavements that need to be maintained, insurance premiums rocketing because of our claim culture if we do trip or hit a pothole, the impact of central government taxes on disposing of the increasing amount of waste we produce, etc.

None of these demands respect the rate of inflation. I know that my local council is considering an above inflation increase, but it is also looking to cut many non-essential services in order to reduce the extra demand placed on Council Tax Payers to a reasonable level.

The increases are not the result of local councillors having initiative as some correspondents suggest. Rather, they are trying to ensure we have decent local services.
Mark, North East England

Why is it that when the council tax is based on two adults, do singles only get a discount of 25%? Surely this is discrimination against singles.
John Rakowski, UK

The real issue is the Government taxing and spending by the back door - introducing compulsory schemes without any Government money. They can't raise income tax, so they raise other taxes instead, but the results are the same. Oh, and the 1% rise in employers' NI won't have helped councils will it!
Phil, UK

It's unfortunate that many politicians do not consider the cost of their actions Mark, UK

I suspect that the anger aimed at council tax is really frustration about tax in general. During the last few years my taxes have rocketed but strangely my salary hasn't. While the public sector needs a big infusion of cash we also need reform of the public sector and a reduction in red tape. It's unfortunate that many politicians do not consider the cost of their actions. Every new "service", law or war that they enact costs the taxpayer money. It's time that politicians govern rather than spend.
Mark, UK

To all those southern contributors who feel hard done by the recent shift of resources northwards, it might have escaped your notice that the funding formula employed by the Tories for calculating govt. grants to councils was weighted in favour of Southern/Tory seats. All Labour has done is redress the balance.
Having said that, the tax is grossly unfair with people on low or fixed incomes having to pay a large proportion of income in Council Tax. Taxes such as Council Tax should be based on ability to pay. Let's have a local income tax.
Ed Harrison, England

The main reason our council taxes have increased is because the government are allocating more tasks for local authorities, but not increasing the proportion from the central fund accordingly. Yet another example of stealth policy from the Treasury. We all need to wake up and do something about this!
Ibby Aziz, London, England

The ignorance exhibited by some of the respondents to this issue is breathtaking. People asking what they can do about the tax or not realising that it pays for such things as education and road maintenance. You could always vote for a party that says it will reduce the bill but you would have to accept that the services won't get better. You get what you pay for. It's common sense. For the person who pays �900 per year just ask yourself how much it would cost if you had to pay for private education for your children. �900 begins to look like a bargain.
Glyn Perrens, UK

Of course councils should be accountable and spend money wisely, and there should be more help for people on low incomes, but all these "what do I get?" comments seem to miss the point. As other respondents have pointed out, council tax is paid by all for the benefit of everyone in the community, and saying things like "all I get is my bins emptied once a week if I'm lucky" doesn't take account of all the other services like housing, care for the elderly, education, etc. that people may not need now, but which they or their relatives may need one day. Any form of tax is often seen as legalised stealing by local or central government - but what is the alternative in a democracy? Putting your credit card in a slot in your hospital bed to summon a doctor?
Caro, UK

The alternative Caro, is a fair and equitable tax system, as practised in most other "first world" economies which are not reliant on a disastrous two-party, "me-me-me!" system. Institute a proper system of national taxation that is not changed every five minutes by politicians seeking good headlines; and which does not constantly change the parameters for local authorities. Introduce the idea of national social accountability, which means that we pay 2p more in income tax and corporations pay 5p more in business tax. Income to the Exchequer is increased by billions and issues such as top-up fees and paying for medical operations go out of the window. The only people who lose out are fat cats and shareholders, who can well afford without money that was not theirs in the first place. If only we in this country would look elsewhere and not assume we have to invent the wheel every time.
Nigel, UK

I have no objection to paying money towards maintaining and improving my local area. I just resent the fact that council tax is an unfair tax which affects the poor far more than the rich among us. There's got to be a more fair and equal way of doing it and a local income tax does seem like the obvious solution.
Caroline, UK

Average salary increases have simply not kept pace with the inflation of taxes Karl, UK

The rate of tax increases in the last few years has been quite alarming. Average salary increases have simply not kept pace with the inflation of taxes. I am now 29 and have only just reached an income level whereby I can afford my first student loan payment and buy my first home. Given that the government keeps warning us all about the dangers of increasing unsecured debt and the pensions shortfall could Mr Blair please advise how today's generation of tax payers can afford to save for their own retirement?
Karl, UK

Interestingly, there aren't any obvious contributors from Scotland. The council tax burden in Scotland is capped, but when review comes up, it jumps to unsustainable levels. I live in a rural part of Scotland, with a home worth probably the price of a parking space in London, yet I pay �1,306 a year in Council Tax. Money to the council, is money to a black hole for the poor services I receive.
Frank, Scotland

I don't begrudge paying Council Tax, they provide services for all and for those in need. What I do find annoying is, because the way central government distribute the funds, I'm effectively subsidising northerners. They already enjoy a lower cost of living, why should I be expected hand over more of my hard earned money to fund the regions?
Mark Blackman, London, England

My Council tax is presently over �1300, has risen year on year since it started. Yet I do not appear to get anything extra for the huge sums of money I pay in various forms of taxation. Some years ago I was impressed to learn that a German local council rebated money to its council tax payers because it had under-spent. This country, however, there seems to be a failure to recognise that this money is from the people and not something that belongs to local and National government to spend as they please. We are so sick and tired of this country that we are now emigrating.
Peter A, London, England

My council (Dudley)recently gave it's top executives whopping pay rises - �15,000 in the case of the top man. All this for a second class borough with no decent town centres. There's always money for a civic function, a limo, or council expenses though. Council tax should be related to what you use: the more you use, the more you pay. I'm sick to death of paying a fortune for one cheap bin liner to be collected each week. Local authorities are coining it in, or are monstrously inefficient.
Paul, England

When I received my council tax bill it had risen from the previous year by �600. I then read all of the small leaflets that came with the bill. From this I learned that a large proportion of this increase was to make up a shortfall in the police pension fund. Has anyone else read these leaflets and is the conclusion the same for across the country and how about a whip round for the rest of our pension funds?
Malcolm Brooks, UK

The fact that most people seem to think that refuse collection is the main use of the council tax, when in fact it is always less than 5%, suggests that there is an alarming lack of knowledge in the general population.
Graham Found, N. Somerset, UK

Councils should have to freeze their tax for three years like my salary. They should be forced to scrap all these dodgy road schemes, London boroughs should refuse Livingstone any money until he explains what its for, there must be duplication of services somewhere. But then again with this money grabbing govt we have voted in it serves you right, Do as I'm going to do early next year - declare yourself bankrupt and open a car wash.
Neil, UK

I recommend that no-one pays their council tax next year James, UK

Our council tax went up approx �200 this year; and then the council has the gall to send us a missive telling us how much in debt they still are, and suggesting that they sell off surplus council land to developers at well under market price. If they're that much in debt, despite squeezing more blood out of our stones, what possible reason could there be for selling land at less than market value. How about selling it at market value ?? Unless councils start sorting this out, I recommend that no-one pays their council tax next year, and watch them try and prosecute huge swathes of the population - it'll cost the government a fortune; probably the election too, and maybe it might lead to a sensible solution to the problem.
James, UK

I think the Council Tax is very cheap and should be raised a lot higher than it is today. 40% raise is what is needed and I would love to pay that amount and see more services provided for our communities. James Walters UK
James Walters, England UK

My personal opinion is that the charges are obscene. However, I work within welfare rights and every week myself and colleagues speak to dozens of people, particularly pensioners who are paying the charge but are entitled to help but don't realise it. The general myth appears to be 'I don't receive Income Support therefore I'm not entitled to help' which very often isn't the case.
Andy, England

I have yet to hear a politician at any level, local or in Parliament explain how those on low or fixed incomes can be asked for 15% more for something when inflation is running at 1-2%. It doesn't take a genius to work out that it is unsustainable. Worse still is that nobody can spot the black hole down which all this money is vanishing. Things can only get better, eh Tony? Yeah right.
David Miller, England

People should attempt to find out more about where the money is going Susan, England

I get the impression, from an overview of the complaints listed, that people instinctively moan about the increased tax without any knowledge of who is responsible for the increase, what the money was spent on before, and what it goes to now. I think, firstly, that these people should attempt to find out more about where the money is going. This would allow them to make constructive criticism about how their bills might be cut, rather than merely chanting, "less tax, better services". Perhaps councils themselves also need to make an effort and advertise the range of services they offer. Everyone's �1000 goes to much more than emptying bins, which seems to be the false impression held by many here.
Susan, England

It is only since being elected as a city councillor last May that I've come to realise just how much of the money councils have to work with is distributed by central government largesse - or more often diktat. We need a fundamental shift away from the overly centralised system with which our country is burdened, starting with a shift to a Local Income Tax.
Cllr.Richard Mallender (Green Party), UK

Harrow in London has the second highest council tax of any London Borough. My council tax is �1,500 a year! Where is all this money going ? Over a million now goes on our very own fat cat Council directors. These people are essential as they help the council waste its precious resources on pet projects that are not needed. Councils have forgotten their primary objective and have become monolithic empires with their own will and a thirst for more and more tax revenues to squander. The taxpayer here is the unwilling victim.
John Smith (UK), UK

The excessive council tax increases are just another of Labour's stealth taxes - they deliberately kept councils short of enough to pay for all that was loaded on them. Then they manipulated the grants to make it seem that non-labour councils were spending too much so that Labour would get voted in. The amount that councils control should be reduced to only local services. All other services should be directly funded nationally.
Roger, England

I work in local government and appreciate how much money is frittered away Ahmed, UK

I work in local government and appreciate how much money is frittered away. However, what incenses me is when I overheard senior members of staff discussing the rises and laughing, saying 'oh well, people will moan about it and end up paying it anyway!'
Ahmed, UK

My council tax, at �1102. The overall increase in Bexley's council tax bill of 17.5 % included a 29.1% tax increase agreed by the Greater London Authority coupled with Bexley Council's own share of the Council Tax increase, 14.9%. What do we get for this substantial council tax increase? We subsidise congestion charging and receive a copy of Mr Ken Livingstone's "I'm wonderful" Mayoral newspaper. I would love to see the increases going towards worthwhile community projects such as better childcare facilities, cleaner safer streets and regular recycling collection.
Joanna Rhodes, UK

I sure pay enough of it, but could someone tell me what it is actually used for? As far as I can see, me paying more council tax gets me more big fat nothing...
Jon Lipscombe, UK

Simply, councils have to cut services like any other business but the area to cut should be decided by the voters, not council technocrats.
Jo, London

My Council Tax increased by 19% this year and I am happy to pay more Angela, UK

My Council Tax increased by 19% this year and I am happy to pay more because the resources needed to provide high quality standards of local services are immense. If we want a decent local environment with vulnerable members of the community being given the necessary care and support we should be prepared to pay for it; if people don't want to contribute to the greater good, then I suggest they live in a different country and experience the difference - they'd soon be back!
Angela, UK

I am old enough to remember the dreadful tax and spend Callaghan Government and was deeply suspicious of Tony and Gordon's promises of no tax rises. Now just a few years down the line and they have brought much of the country to it's knees with the tax burdens they have levied. Next time you vote, forget the gift-wrapping and take a bit more care about what you are really buying.
Toby, Spain

I wonder if the system would benefit from competition - I reckon a third party would empty bins for much less than the council.
Marc Isaacs, Wales

My goodness, your bin emptied once every week? In my area it's once every 2 weeks - causing a rat problem and a vile smell in summer. So what are we paying more and more for? Oh yes - the salary increases enjoyed by public sector workers. I'd love to get even the 2% mentioned by one correspondent. But on the same wage as 3 years ago I'm paying more council tax, NI and taking home less of my money than ever before....
Selina, Hampshire, UK

Why do we have local taxes? What benefit does a council tax payer derive from paying council tax over and above general taxation? Why is council tax not related to income? If I don't like the rise in council tax what can I do about it? Why are there so many problems with council tax? Why can't the required expenditure be provided by general taxation?
David Harvey, UK

Enough is enough! The council tax is now out of control and the Government and local councils need to realise that people are fed up Eddie, UK

Enough is enough! The council tax is now out of control and the Government and local councils need to realise that people are fed up with having to pay ever more of their hard earned wages for less services and more incompetence. The Tax keeps rising well above salary rises or inflation and the burden on people is becoming unbearable.
If everyone in the country refused to pay the increase then a very powerful message will have been sent to both Government. and the Local Councils.
Eddie, UK

Actually, I think there is some merit in the way things have turned out. The north-south divide is causing a real problem. By taking money from councils in the south and redistributing to those in the north, the government gives a small extra incentive for people to move from south to north. It's not going to solve the problem of the north-south divide by itself, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
Adam, UK

Few of you moaning-Minnie's seem to have a clue about the services provided by councils; Care for the Children, Disabled and Elderly, Trading Standards, Environmental services, Housing, Building Control Planning, Education, Water Services, Roads, Public Transport, Tourism, Leisure services and many more - all democratically answerable. How many of you ONLY need your dustbins emptied?
G Smith, UK

About 2 months ago our local county council placed a full page advert for about 30 job vacancies. All new high paid jobs. I went through every single one and couldn't identify what practical purpose they would have! Things like "meetings results coordinator". No wonder our Councils charge so much! Just thank heaven we don't have that additional tier of Government and another layer of "intermediate meetings results coordinators"
Simon Mallett, UK, Maidstone

I am only on a low income but have to pay �1500 per year council tax. This represents 15% of my after tax income. The only way I can survive is to sell my house - I don't drink or smoke and rarely go out. Something must be done for those who go out to work but do not earn enough to live properly. Without working tax credit and child tax credit I would have defaulted long ago.
Simon, UK

My house is in the borough of Richmond upon Thames. My annual council tax bill has gone up by �1,200 in the past 3 years (since Labour took over). The level of council services provided in my town (East Sheen) are disgraceful. It is dirty, neglected and poorly managed, so how these annual increases are justified beggars belief. I have had to put my house on sale and am moving well away from the area. It's very sad and frustrating.
Miguel Fenton, UK

Maybe they could outsource their admin staff to India and save us some money that way!
John Castle, England

As usual a lot of money is being taken from the public for not a lot in return. If the councils were a business they would have been made bankrupt years ago, no service means no customers.
Don Linton, UK

Where's all the money going to? Certainly not on services that we can see and appreciate. It's time for central and local government to focus on efficiency rather than raising taxes.
Nick, UK

The whole system is flawed. Paying on the size of your house is irrelevant to the volume of services. The "community charge" was a much better idea and I voted for it. Local income tax is the next obvious solution but must be restricted so that councils have to work within a budget as opposed to up to it. If the residents want more then they should pay for it themselves - out of taxed income naturally.
TW, Cheshire

Services are being cut and I am left wondering. What am I paying the council to do? It's about time they were made to account to the public. Why are they charging so much more for so much less. It just doesn't add up.
George, England

The bulk of money spent locally should be raised locally and matched to the priorities of local people. The current system allows for blatant political manipulation by the government and for councils to be dictated to by the government, rather than by the local electorate. I think we should soon see increased participation in local democracy if reform along these lines were carried out.
Neil, England

We are lucky as ours has stayed the same. Recently there was a survey of local councils and ours came out as poor, which I just don't agree with. Trafford Borough Council in Greater Manchester are in my opinion fantastic. Our bins are always emptied, and if we forget to put them out, the dustbin men come in and collect them, put them back and close the gate. The streets are clean and fairly well lit, the parks are well kept, as are the grass verges. The police and fire brigade always come out and the schools are good.
Helen Kreissl, UK

The poll tax removed Margaret Thatcher, and the same will apply with Tony Blair Lee, England

The poll tax removed Margaret Thatcher, and the same will apply with Tony Blair for the council tax, which we are all indeed worse off that we would of been if we kept Poll Tax.
Lee, England

Which ever way you look at it, it is just a further increase in the tax burden of the individual. It is about time we had a more efficient government both locally and centrally!
Simon Ward, UK

Council tax should be linked to your salary the more you get paid the bigger your council tax bill. We would soon see if there were any large rises if it directly affected local councillors. I think not.
Chris Slack, England

My local council charges �900 per year to give me some of the worst rated schools in the country, street lights that don't work properly, and I'm still waiting for a wheelie bin after eight weeks! Well I suppose it will be put to use in the form of another hanging basket outside the Town Hall, so that's alright then.
John, UK

How can pensioners be expected to keep paying these increases in Council Tax from Pensions which are not incremented to cover these massive increases?
Bev Woollard, England

Why are people so unhappy about �1,000 to pay for local services which would cost far more if/when privatised? David Hulme, England

The council tax is an almost-irrelevant sum of money when compared to Duty, VAT and Income Tax. Why are people so unhappy about �1,000 to pay for local services which would cost far more if/when privatised? Remember what happened to water, gas, electricity, railways, council housing, and telephones?
David Hulme, England

My house has tripled in price but my wages haven't. I guess I'll need to re-mortgage to pay my council tax
Suthers, Wales

I object to the government effectively subsidising councils in the north at the expense of those in the south. Why should a Bucks resident pay towards someone in the north east?
David Peevers, UK

I think the rises are a disgrace. We certainly do not get value for money from our local authorities. It's too easy to just make massive increases each year. They should make a real effort to make savings.
Antony Forst, England

As usual our salaries rise by 2% if we're lucky and council tax rises by many times that. About all I ever seem to get from the council is an ever larger bill and my bins emptied most weeks. It seems particularly bizarre that at every level of government it seems taxes are rising while services are cut back, apparently due to lack of funds. Where's it all going? On a totally unrelated note I had to admire our local Mayor's nice chauffeur-driven BMW 7-series.
John B, UK

Don't complain about tax. Just keep remembering all the good things that this government is doing with the money and ask to pay more. After all isn't that what we all wanted when we elected a Labour government. Personally I suggest that having any disposable income at all should be banned right along with cigarettes and fatty foods. You all be much better for it. That's what Labour means. Hip hip, hooray!
Dave, UK

My council tax �1106 per year. What could I get for that? My bins emptied once per week? If I leave it in the right place, at the right angle and the lid is down properly.
Paul Sealey, England