Recently Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) approved its budget for the 2024/25 financial year which will see an investment of more than £616 million in local services. These include our schools, our roads, vital bus services, our fire and rescue service and many others that the most vulnerable in our area rely on.
In part thanks to their Energy from Waste plant, which has not only stopped rubbish from across the County from going to landfill but has also generated a £15 million financial boost, the County Council hasn’t had to make dramatic cuts to local services. Instead increasing their spending by £50 million in comparison to last year. The County Council have also worked hard to make sure they are being as efficient as possible and have successfully identified a further £23 million in efficiencies and additional income.
This budget will be utilising £200 million to support some of the most vulnerable adults in our area, including many older people with a diverse range of needs and long-term conditions. Over £180 million will also be used to continue improvements to services for children with SEND and for children and families in need of help and protection. This funding will also support fostering and adoption services and children with disabilities.
With regards to transport, the County Council will be continuing with their £100 million commitment to improve our local highways, which over the past 12 months has seen 212 roads resurfaced and 50,000 potholes filled. This is in addition to the £87.9 million Gloucestershire will be receiving over the next 11 years from re-directed HS2 funds to tackle the scourge of potholes, which is a decision I implemented in my capacity as Secretary of State for Transport. £2.2 million will additionally be utilised to increase the frequency and operating hours of the County’s bus routes and extend the bookable bus service, The Robin.
Finally, the County Council will continue its financial support for residents who have welcomed Ukrainian families into their homes, as well as providing training and employment support for those who have settled here so they can rebuild their lives and contribute to the Gloucestershire economy.
In an environment where poorly run Labour Councils, such as in Birmingham, are forced to declare bankruptcy and increase local taxes on hardworking people by substantial amounts, it is refreshing that here in Gloucestershire sound Conservative financial management has resulted in continued improvement in vital public services.
This column was first published in The Forester newspaper.