Budget Consultation 2024-25

The council is committed to hearing what Gloucestershire residents thought about the proposed spending plans for 2024/25 and about other ideas they may have as to how funding could be allocated for the next financial year. The results from the consultation, which are available at Appendix 2, show the majority of respondents supported both the council’s priorities, as set out in its corporate strategy, and its proposed spending plans for 2024/25.

In finalising the proposed budget for Cabinet the views expressed through the consultation were carefully considered. With majority support in all areas, no changes are being proposed. Some areas where reduced spending was proposed would be counter to the priority areas the council has set out, and that gained strong support through this consultation and previous engagement. Whilst very aware of the funding allocated to staffing and council premises it is important that we have the best possible people overseeing and delivering services, which requires us to pay market rates and that accommodations is fit for purpose and supports effective and efficient service delivery. 

The council puts on record its thanks to all those who took the time to respond.

Read our press release here: Council agrees ambitious 2024/25 budget  | Gloucestershire County Council

Take Survey

It’s the time of year when we ask for your views on our proposed spending plans for the year ahead. Let me tell you a bit more about our ambitious plans and how we intend to fund them and when you need to have responded to the consultation by.

Unlike many other councils who are struggling to balance the books, we haven’t had to make dramatic cuts to the services you rely on each day – in fact, we’ve increased our investment in them by £42 million. In part this is thanks to our Energy from Waste plant. Not only has it stopped Gloucestershire’s rubbish going to landfill by turning it into green energy, it has generated a £15 million boost to our budget.

As part of our £100 million investment we will continue to invest in our Highways transformation work which this year has seen 212 roads resurfaced and 50,000 potholes filled - making a real difference for all who use Gloucestershire roads.

We will continue to roll out electric vehicle charging points on residential streets across the county, so if you drive an electric vehicle, you can charge up near to home even if you don’t have a driveway. For those who prefer to be driven around, you’ll be delighted to hear that from May we’ll be extending the Robin, our bookable bus service, currently running in the Forest of Dean and North Cotswolds, to include Stroud, Tewkesbury and South Cotswolds.

In addition we plan to invest £1.3 million to increase the frequency and operating hours of 21 of the county’s popular timetabled bus routes.

No matter how you travel on them, the most important thing though is that you’re safe on our roads. That’s why we’re investing an additional £800,000 into tackling key road safety hotspots as well as providing specialist training to our Fire and Rescue service so that should you need them, you can be assured we’ll be there to help, no matter what.

We also want people to be safe in their homes. That’s why we are investing in the training and technology our social care staff need to support you to stay safe and independent for as long as possible in your own home.

It is paramount that every child in Gloucestershire feels safe at home. That’s why we continue to invest in delivering better services for vulnerable children. This means whether they are supported at their home or living with a foster family or in our young adult semi-independent accommodation, each young person in Gloucestershire feels valued, safe, and supported.

The draft budget proposes raises an additional £14.2 million to help fund services through a council tax increase of 2.99% and £7.8 million specifically to support our work with the most vulnerable adults in the county through a 2% increase in the adult social care precept. Despite this, we still expect to have one of the lowest council tax levels of any county council. Based on a band D property, this equates to a £6.34 monthly increase. We have again challenged ourselves on how we can be more efficient to make the money go further for the year ahead and we have already identified more than £23 million of efficiencies and additional income.

Sadly, many people worldwide aren’t safe in their own homes, and some have sought refuge in Gloucestershire. Next year we will continue the financial support for residents who’ve welcomed Ukrainian families into their home, as well as providing training and employment support for people settling in Gloucestershire after fleeing conflict so that they can live full lives here, contributing to the Gloucestershire economy and community.

Our commitment to you is that we will continue to improve the delivery of the services you rely on each day, whilst being ambitious about Gloucestershire’s long-term potential. We’ll continue to focus on Levelling Up through investments in broadband, transport and education for all ages, as well as supporting the economy and protecting our unique and beautiful environment for future generations.

This is a budget that will mean 2024 is yet another year where we will deliver for communities, for businesses and for the future of this great county.

To make sure your views are included as part of the council’s decision-making process, please complete the survey no later than 5pm on 11 January 2024.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne

Leader of the Council

The survey can also be made available as a hard copy via post, please contact communications@gloucestershire.gov.uk or telephone 01452 - 427554.

The consultation closes on Thursday 11 January 2024, at 5pm.