Hopes for no rise on council tax for 2010/11

Council tax bills in Wolverhampton could be frozen for the first time, it has been revealed today.

The authority has published a draft budget including a prediction that there will be a 0 per cent rate rise for the city's 136,000 homes next year.

The latest calculations behind the 2010/11 budget, published in advance to consult the public, are based on estimates that sufficient cost-cutting can take place to meet this target.

The only other time rates weren't increased was in 1993, when they were in fact reduced by 0.3 per cent.

There was a 3.5 per cent rise this year, meaning council tax bills in Band D households are now £1,461.60 a year.

Councillor Wendy Thompson, cabinet member for finance, said: "We have always said that a 0 per cent rise is our aspiration, and while it is far too early to say with any certainty we can achieve it, that remains our target."