Cabinet Secretary, your colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, in his Green Paper on local government, states that, over time, there has been convergence in council tax levels and

'in the majority of places the differences today are small and this should not be an insurmountable issue.'

However, the figures tell a different story, with council tax payers in north Wales potentially—if these ludicrous proposals go ahead—facing an increase of £160 per annum in Ynys Môn, and over £80 each in Conway and Wrexham. Given the fact that, in Wales, we've seen a 201 per cent increase in council tax bills since devolution, and notwithstanding the many concerns that we have raised—and others—regarding the financial integrity of the Cabinet Secretary's Green Paper on local government reform, have you been invited to any discussions with the Cabinet Secretary as regards moving forward with local government reform, and, in particular, what agreements are in place to mitigate any further exorbitant council tax increases?

Of course, Llywydd, as finance Minister I take a close interest, and will continue to, in the outcome of the consultation on the Green Paper that the Cabinet Secretary has conducted, and the issue to which the Member points—differential rates of council tax between authorities—has undoubtedly been a theme in that consultation. Of course, the biggest differential lies not between Welsh authorities but between authorities in Wales and authorities in England, where English council tax payers on average have to pay £179 extra every year.