COUNCIL tax could rise again by 4.95 per cent across the county to fully close a budget funding gap of £5.7 million.

A 3.95 per cent increase was enforced in Monmouthshire for the 2014/15 budget, but after taking into consideration the proposals for this year's budget, a further rise of 4.95 per cent is required for 2015/16.

A recent review of the budget proposals revealed a remaining spending gap of £440,000.

Monmouthshire County

Council (MCC) hopes to raise £400,000 by increasing council tax. An additional withdrawal of £40,000 from council reserves will be made to fully make ends meet.

The council's cabinet will meet today (7th January) to recommend the revenue budget to full council for discussion on Thursday 22nd January.

If the proposed 4.95 per cent council tax rise is agreed it will be on top of last year's increase. The proposal will mean that if you paid £1,000 of council tax in 2013/14, you then paid £1,039.50 in 2014/15 and could pay £1,090.95 in 2015/16.

Added pressures from the adoption of the living wage for MCC staff will lead to an increase in the budget by £30,000 for 2015/16.

Also included in the plans is a suggestion to release £1,­­234

million from reserves to support the 2015/16 budget.

The budget proposals were developed following engagement with the public in October. Further public consultation meetings will be held across the county this month.

Roadshows providing opportunities for the public to talk to council officers and local service board partners will be held:

• Today (7th January) from 12pm to 3pm in Caldicot town centre

• Thursday 8th January from 12pm to 3pm at Chepstow town centre.

• Friday 9th January from 9am to 11am at Magor village

• Friday 9th January from 12pm to 1.30pm in Tintern (opposite the Abbey)

• Friday 9th January from 1.45pm to 3pm at Devauden village hall car park

• Monday 12th January from 9.30am to 11am on Chepstow Road, Raglan

• Monday 12th January from 12pm to 1.30pm at Maryport Street car park, Usk

• Monday 12th January from 2pm to 3.30pm at Gilwern Community Education Centre

In addition, a series of evening public meetings will outline the effect of budget cuts and allow the public to discuss the council's 2015/16 budget with councillors and staff. They will be held:

• Today (7th January) from 6pm to 8pm at Caldicot School

• Thursday 8th January from 6pm to 8pm at Chepstow School.

Speaking about the public engagement meetings, council leader Peter Fox said: "A 4.3 per cent decrease in the grant provided to the council by the Welsh Government for the 2015/16 financial year combined with the spectre of further cuts means that we have to re-examine the way the council provides public services.

"I urge people in the county to influence our decision making by attending our roadshows and evening meetings.

"We want to hear from you and this is a wonderful opportunity for the community to let us know the direction we should take."