Council Tax rise

Council Tax in Gloucestershire will be going up by 2.3 percent in April, the lowest rise ever.

That means band D households will be paying an extra £24.56 extra a year, with their total bill hitting £1,090.50.

Gloucestershire County Council say from the extra money raised £1.1 million will fund 30 new social workers to protect vulnerable children and there will be extra cash to improve stocks of salt for gritting the roads.

The budget includes plans to cut costs and increase efficiencies across the council.

Investments include:

· Looked After Children - Some £7.6m is included in the budget for safeguarding children, including £1.27m for 30 extra childcare social workers

· Salt stocks & pot holes – Repairing roads and replenishing salt stocks after a sustained period of snow and ice, ensuring key routes are treated and remain open during severe weather.

· £14m investment to meet costs of additional vulnerable children and adults.

· Funding for £48m new capital investment in roads and other services.

· Continuing investment in flood prevention and drainage works.

· Efficiency and other cost reduction savings of £12m including more than £10 million additional savings from Building our Future change programme.

· £2.3m to cover for increased costs due to inflation.

Cllr Barry Dare, leader of the council, said: “I am proud that once again this council has contained the council tax increase to less than both inflation and the increase in the basic state pension. People in this county can’t afford high tax increases any more. I am committed to making sure the county council keeps offering Gloucestershire people the services they need at a price they can afford.”