A finance officer's report on council funding has sparked fears council tax will double within four years.

Brighton and Hove City Council received a poor settlement from the Government for the coming financial year, which will leave a £17.5 million hole in its budget.

Plugging the gap will lead to a 23 per cent rise in council tax or big cuts.

It is more likely that councillors will opt for a combination of the two.

A report by the chief finance officer to councillors predicts similarly low levels of grant for the next few years.

Greens have warned council tax levels could double within four years as a result of the settlement.

Green convenor Keith Taylor said: "If this prediction is right and the shortfalls are made up by council tax alone, we will see bills double in four years.

"Tax increases of this size are unsustainable and to make budget cuts of £17.5m in the coming year would decimate services.

"The Government has got it wrong and needs to make changes to avoid plunging residents and the council into chaos."

Greens have tabled a motion calling for a lobby of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to give the council a bigger grant.

Coun Taylor said: "The council should make a public statement warning residents that taxes will rise significantly for years to come unless Mr Prescott is prepared to change the rules."

Finance councillor Jackie Lythell said a delegation went to see local government minister Nick Raynsford about the settlement.

Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood said the council needed to concentrate on ensuring cuts in services and rises in tax were as small as possible.