Council tax may rise to fund park and ride, cleaner streets, and social care improvements in Bath and North East Somerset.
They will present the budget on February 13th. It includes £151.7 million for daily spending in 2025/26 and also has five-year investments. The plan aims to improve infrastructure in the area. House building will receive over £70 million, and active travel and transport are also set to receive more funds.
Mark Elliott says they faced budget challenges, but he believes the budget is balanced and well-managed. This achievement comes despite rising costs, especially in adult and children’s services, with a focus on the most vulnerable people. They’re adding £5 million for adult care and addressing school transport issues with £350k to fund more drivers and vehicles. They also plan to improve youth support with £50k for a Bath youth club.
Cleaner streets are a priority. They’re investing in rapid response crews and upgrading customer contact tech to make it easier for residents to reach services. Addressing the need for more housing, £73.4 million goes to Aequus, the council’s property company, for new homes.
Rising costs for children’s services, including special needs placements and transport, will be addressed. The council says their services will meet needs and they are committed to helping vulnerable kids and families.
They’re trialing extended park and ride hours for £125k. Clean and Green funding increases by £281k for weed, graffiti, and litter removal. Customer contact improvements cost £251k. They will replace old phone and contact systems, while School Streets get an £87k boost, creating three new School Streets in 2025-26. Subsidized bus services receive £50k in added support.
Council tax may rise 2.99%, about £51.92 more for a Band D property. Adult social care could go up 2%, an extra £34.72 for Band D properties. In total, Band D council tax might be £1,823.06 yearly, a 4.99% increase, about £86.64.
Elliott thinks the council offers good value and says their tax increases are lower than others, comparing favorably to nearby areas. Even with the rise, tax is lower than other places in the South West.
Climate change will be addressed through a £4m plan removing gas heating from council buildings, and £9.961m is for green vehicles for neighborhood services.
The cabinet will discuss this budget on February 13. The full council considers it on February 25.