An announcement confirming the £100 rise was made by Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong on Monday. Leaders of an all party delegation from the county council had been pressing for more financial support to ease bills.

But the minister confirmed her previous draft figures - which will mean an £106 increase on a Band D property valued between £68,000 and £88,000.

The rise is being blamed on new Cheshire boundaries, which no longer include Warrington and Halton.

County Clr Derek Bateman, whose Labour party will be the biggest in 'New Cheshire' said: "It is unfortunate that we failed to persuade the Minister to use her special powers."

Conservative leader county councillor Paul Findlow said: "Throughout the long debate on Local Government Reorganisation, the county council argued that higher council tax would lead to reduced services."

And Liberal Democrat leader county councillor David Lloyd-Griffiths said: "The Minister has made clear she expects Cheshire's Band D householders to pay £1 a week for Local Government Reorganisation.

"This is nothing short of scandalous given that they never sought, supported or approved these changes."

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