In the current financial year, Dundee had the second highest level behind Glasgow. Dundee’s Band D figure is £1211 and Glasgow’s remains at £1213 after the council there decided on a freeze for the second year in a row.

Aberdeen took over the top spot by pushing its Band D up to £1230 and Stirling went into second place on £1223. Zero tax rise target

Councillor Shimi said Dundee had decided to wait until February 20 to set their tax, because they wanted to be able to work up until the 11th hour to make sure the lowest possible figure could be delivered.

She added, “People have a right to know we can now guarantee we will not have the highest council tax in Scotland.”

“I would like to reassure payers we are doing everything we can to work towards our target, which is a freeze, and I am confident this will have the support of a majority of the members of the council.

“We have always been committed to delivering appropriate services at as low a cost as possible and I believe the budget we are currently working on will do just that.”

Labour’s 10 councillors are in a coalition administration with the two Liberal Democrats, giving them 12 out of the 29 seats. The SNP is the largest single party with 11 seats. The Conservatives have five and there is one Independent.

However, the Conservatives have been supporting the administration, though not part of the formal power-sharing arrangement. With the Tories’ five votes, the administration can command an overall majority of 17.

Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson, who is the council’s finance convener, said, “We are working as an administration very hard to keep Dundee’s council tax low and a zero increase is our clear aim.

“It is vital services are protected, but that tax payers get good value for money, and the administration will be working hard to achieve a positive outcome.”