Gloucestershire Council Tax Rise Approved as Bills Increase for Locals

Your council tax might increase this April. The county council approved a budget increase despite being financially stable. A near five percent council tax rise passed.

The increase is 4.99%, including a 2.99% general tax increase and a 2% social care increase. Band D properties will pay £1,679.65, up from £1,599.82, an extra £79.83 each year.

The revenue budget exceeds £665 million, and the capital program totals £589.7 million. Main investments include M5 improvements for £320 million to improve bus routes, roads, and cycle paths. Schools will get £88.2 million.

Corporate resources receive £91.3 million, and adult services receive £66.7 million, paying for three new care homes. Fire and rescue gets £23.1 million in investment, and public health receives £400,000.

A council member said many would envy the budget. Adult social care will gain a nine percent boost, almost £18 million more, while children’s services will increase by 7.3%, over £13 million.

The council’s reserves grew significantly, reporting an eighty percent increase, while many other local governments decreased. Every department will see its budget increased, with no department facing cuts next year.

The council predicts balanced spending this year, something that hasn’t happened previously. Electricity sales from Javelin Park aid this, and council tax increases concerned them greatly, so they regretfully asked for the increase.

Economic issues concern one council member, who described it as barely growing and said the county is under attack. He believes money is going to bigger city areas instead.

A Liberal Democrat called the budget tired and said the group offered real change. They want proactive, not reactive changes, and she promised an ambitious vision while criticizing past Conservative spending.

She said the roads are poor, the services bad, and she thinks kids are stuck in a cycle. The Liberal Democrats promise real change.

The Liberal Democrats want to spend more to pilot youth worker schemes and improve cycle paths in districts. They also want to fix potholes quickly.

They also suggest upgrades to drain systems and improvements to pedestrian crossings. Financial advice services also need funding, and Labour suggested some changes as well.

Labour’s ideas included extra funds for roads, community project investment, and extra for youth workers and flood help. They also want community transport funded.

Labour focused on the community fund, thinking it’s vital for community projects. They want to support sports clubs and defibrillators, as these projects improve community life.

A deputy leader supported the Labour ideas, and the Green group had proposals accepted. Those proposals totaled £420,000 more spending.

The Green changes bolster flood management and grant money to the Wildlife Trust. They want energy upgrades for libraries, and climate projects got funding from it too.

The Greens want libraries of things and seek to extend the veteran bus pass program. They also suggested community composting and want the study of community car clubs.

A Green council member wants it to be greener. She said her group supports the budget.

The council leader also suggested changes. They want to address issues raised, including funding for flood prevention and helping the Wildlife Trust.

The Tories proposed more funds for youth services and additional family hub services. The Conservatives voted down other suggestions.

Finally, the council approved the budget. It passed with the Green changes included.