Finance spokesman Joe FitzPatrick said that, like the Labour/Lib Dem coalition administration, which is backed by the Tories, they’re seeking to have a zero tax rise for the coming year. However, he also said the party nationally would maintain current levels until 2010 should they win May’s Scottish parliamentary elections.

“There is still a bit of work to be done, but we are striving to get a freeze, while protecting services for vulnerable people,” said Councillor FitzPatrick.

“The other thing the SNP is intending to do is to freeze council tax across Scotland for the following two years, so that would mean people in Dundee getting a three-year freeze.”

The party is concerned that pensioners are particularly punished by the current council tax, which doesn’t take account of changes in income.

Added Councillor Fitzpatrick, “We reckon it will take two years to get rid of the council tax altogether, and replace it with a local income tax based on people’s ability to pay.”

It has already been revealed Dundee will definitely not have the highest council tax in Scotland in the next year, while it’s virtually certain there will be no increase at all.

In the current financial year Dundee had the second highest council tax 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.

Labour administration leader Jill Shimi said last week they would be working “to the 11th hour” to set the lowest possible figure on February 20.

Councillor FitzPatrick said he expected the meeting to be “constructive”, although his party will oppose any cuts to services for vulnerable people.

“I think in recent years what the officers have put in place has made for less of a ding-dong argument. We need to see the detail of what’s being proposed, (but) it’s likely to be a very constructive meeting.”