Council tax and parking charges to rise as county sets £700m budget
Residents will see a rise on council tax and controversial residents permit parking charges, 20mph zones after Gloucestershire County Council agreed its budget for the coming financial year.
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Residents will have to pay higher council tax bills, and charges for on-street parking and residential permits from April as Gloucestershire County Council has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year.
The Liberal Democrat administration’s plans for 2026/27 include a revenue budget of £698m to pay for services such as social care, roadworks, waste disposal and education.
Councillors today (February 18) backed the plans which means the proportion of the annual council tax bill for a band D property which goes towards Shire Hall services will rise to £1,763.46 up £83.81 from this year.
This is based on a 4.99 per cent increase made up of a 2.99 per cent in general council tax increase and a two per cent increase for adult social care.
The total bill for households will be higher as it also includes the fee for the police, district councils and parish and town councils where applicable.
The budget includes a programme of £843m for capital projects as well as controversial rises to the annual cost of residential parking permits.
The changes mean a household’s first permit will rise to £80 a year from £63.30 and the second permit for a household will cost £160 up from £127.35.
Business permits will cost £400 up from £339.90 and a second permit would cost £500 and a £30 charge is being introduced for care workers.
Council leader Lisa Spivey (LD, South Cerney) described the budget as a “reset” for Gloucestershire which would provide more funding for road resurfacing and investment in 20mph schemes in areas where residents request them.
“Today is the day that we reset and invest in Gloucestershire,” she said.
“A day where difficult decisions are faced head on and where we get a grip on stabilising the council’s finances”
She said their “ambitious” budget focused on the priorities of the residents such as roads, schools and the care system.
“At a time when many councils are stepping back, retreating from the constant barrage of dealing with growing demands for services, here in Gloucestershire, we are standing firm because this administration rejects the idea that councils exist simply to manage decline.
“We believe our goal is to reform services, modernise how we operate, and invest in the long-term strength of this county.”
She said the condition of the road network underpins the local economy and supports people’s daily lives.
The council will be investing an extra £15m in road works and this funding will focus on more resurfacing with less patchwork repairs.
Reform UK councillor Piers Camp (Drybrook and Lydbrook) presented his group’s amendment to the budget which he described as “practical resident first choices”.
It highlighted the potential for saving £5 million and plans for further multi-million reductions in special educational needs transport costs and also proposed plans to help solve flooding by reinstating dredging of rivers.
However, this was rejected along with the Conservatives’ and Independent’s proposals while the Lib Dems accepted the amendments from the Green Party and Labour.
These include one off payments of £110,000 for a cycle path to complete the Cam and Dursley ‘Green Way’, £100,000 to restore funding for the community climate grant, £80,000 to fund improvements to footpaths and another £80,000 to sponsor two care leavers two complete youth work apprenticeships.
Air pollution monitoring in schools will be funded with £20,000 and £10,000 will provide transport support to help young people who face financial hardship to access work, training and education.
Reform UK group leader Vernon Smith (Tewkesbury West) said the budget was rubbish and his group would not be supporting it and accused the Lib Dems of ignoring “common sense”.
“You need to listen to what we said today, Reform UK gave you great amendments which could have been used to reduce costs and use in other areas,” he said.
Conservative group leader Stephen Davies (C, Hardwicke and Severn) criticised the Lib Dems for cutting the highways local budget.
“Highways Local is how an elected councillor can make decisions about investment in the roads in their area,” he said.
“The Liberal Democrats and Greens endlessly talk about being concerned about their communities and local issues… until it comes to spending money.
“Despite being a key commitment in their election manifesto the budget is where their true intentions are made clear and are undeniable. This is a sad day for local communities.”
The council voted to approve the budget by 36 votes in favour and 16 against.
The Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour backed the proposals while Reform, the Conservatives and Independent Alastair Chambers voted against.
Speaking after the meeting, Green group leader Beki Hoyland (Blakeney and Bream) said: “As Greens we want to support and invest in our communities. Our amendments give residents the opportunity to make choices that are better for health, better for nature and reduce our contribution to the climate crisis.
“The best way to tackle long-term problems is to invest early in our communities. Spending on prevention today means spending less on fixing things tomorrow.
“The funding squeeze imposed by central government makes this harder and harder to do.”
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com