COUNCIL taxes are expected to rise by almost five per cent in the next financial year - the maximum allowed by the Government, which has threatened to cap overspending councils.

Test Valley Borough Council's executive meets on Wednesday to finalise its spending next year and is expected to raise its share of the council tax by 4.82 per cent.

If this is approved it would mean a band D council tax payer will have to pay £103.77 in 2006/07 for the TVBC share.

See Friday's Andover Advertiser for the full story