Forest of Dean residents face council tax increases and a significant rise in garden waste collection fees.
Band D properties will see a £6.15 increase, bringing their council tax portion to £211.95. Some council fees are also going up, with increases potentially reaching as high as 10 percent.
Garden waste licenses will now cost £64, a £9 increase. One councillor described the rise as “staggering,” noting that it is 13.5 percent above inflation.
This same councillor stated that low-income residents will struggle with the increased costs. Gloucester offers discounts for those needing support.
The council faces a funding gap which has grown from £2.8m to £4.6m. Questions arose about the possibility of using council reserves to bridge this gap. An officer stated that the funds might go elsewhere later, depending on future council decisions after 2025/26.
A cabinet member defended the contentious budget. He stated that it favored incentives over penalties and that he prefers composting over waste collection.
He feels that their decisions are actively helping residents and aiming to address the climate crisis. Councillors ultimately voted 24 to 7 to approve the proposed budget.
The council increased service funding for a local bureau. The budget helps achieve their overarching plan and they may borrow to deliver essential services.
The council maintains it remains financially stable and its finances mirror those of other districts. It positions itself as among the most solvent in the county.
Your total tax bill will show other charges, including county, police, and parish council costs. The county’s tax portion also experienced an increase, hitting £1,679.65 for Band D properties.
The police portion is also going up, marking a 4.5 percent increase for households. Band D households will now pay £322 yearly for the police portion.