Rising council tax bills have seen protests around the country

West Oxfordshire District Council plans to increase its part of the Oxfordshire levy from �60 to �80 for Band D properties in 2004/ 2005.

The leader of the council, Barry Norton, met Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford on Wednesday to defend the proposal.

It follows a pledge by Mr Raynsford to use capping powers on some councils that planned to seek increases of more than 5%.

It is ridiculous the government seeks to intervene in our affairs when we are one of the lowest charging councils in the country. Barry Norton

The council is one of 65 that Mr Raynsford has written to, warning them to lower their figures.

But the west Oxfordshire council is defending its proposals, saying it has traditionally been a low spending council.

Mr Norton said: "The minister acknowledged that west Oxfordshire was managing its finances well, but was concerned that the public would only see the percentage increase figure.

"The reason our council tax is rising is because of imposed decisions by the government which are unfunded, such as increases in recycling.

"It is ridiculous the government seeks to intervene in our affairs when we are one of the lowest charging councils in the country."

A spokeswoman for the Department of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "He [Mr Raynsford] has asked a few councils, where he is particularly concerned about their proposed rises, to come in for a meeting with him where they can discuss the proposed rises and he can point out the government's position."

Final decision

A survey by the Times newspaper suggests council tax will rise by an average of 7% this year, but the final figures will only be known next month.

South Oxfordshire District Council is planning just a 2.7% rise, but people living in that area already pay �110, on average, for its services.

Other district councils in Oxfordshire are planning rises of between about 4% and 6%.

The cabinet at West Oxfordshire District Council will make its final recommendations on the tax increase on 3 March.