THE LEADER of Blaenau Gwent council's Labour group has called for the authority to revisit the potential of merging with another council amid financial pressures.

Cllr Steve Thomas made the call as councillors scrutinised budget proposals for the year ahead, which could include a council tax rise of nearly five per cent and cuts across a range of service areas.

An application for a voluntary merger between Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen councils was made in 2014 but the plans were rejected.

Calling for the issue to be revisited, Cllr Thomas suggested a merger could ease financial pressures.

The meeting also heard three headteachers from schools in Blaenau Gwent make pleas to protect education budgets, warning proposed cuts could lead to redundancies, larger class sizes and a watered down curriculum.

Cllr Wayne Hodgins (Independent, Brynmawr ward) called for more funding to be made available from Welsh Government to support education budgets.

But Cllr Thomas said it was 'wrong' to say funding was not being made available.

"This is the best settlement we have had for years and years," he said.

"I think it's a little bit wrong to say there is no extra money coming in.

"We have had a huge investment in social services."

The county borough council will receive an extra £118,000 from the Welsh Government in April in its final settlement of £110.8million, amounting to a a zero per cent cut.

But the council is still trying to plug a funding gap of £359,000, with a council tax rise of 4.9 per cent to bridge the shortfall being considered.

Cllr Phil Edwards (Independent, Ebbw Vale North) said the settlement still left the council with financial challenges.

"It's the best settlement we have had but that only goes to show we have not had enough money previously," he added

As well as a council tax increase, budget proposals include a reduction in street lighting and introducing a charge for the child care element for children attending school breakfast clubs.

Cllr Thomas invited Independent councillors to 'join' with the Labour group in discussing the possibility of a merger.

"I think it's something we may need to revisit," he said.

"When we hear our position is becoming unsustainable in certain areas we have to look further afield at how we can deliver services."

But Cllr Edwards said the chances of an Independent led council being successful in a merger application were slim, when the Welsh Government had already turned down a bid from a Labour-controlled authority.