Following a full council meeting on Wednesday 23 February, South Gloucestershire Council adopted a budget of almost £196million, for 2011/12, and decided to freeze council tax.
The average band D property in South Gloucestershire will pay a council tax of £1,245.20 (the same as last year) for South Gloucestershire Council services.
The budget provides for a £2.7million investment in services for older people and helps protect schools’ budgets. As part of the capital budget, nearly £30million will be invested (over a three-year period) in improving schools and facilities for young people, and an additional £2million a year will continue to be invested in the district’s roads.
In advance of adopting a budget, the council held a wide-ranging consultation – ‘Your Services Your Say’ – including holding a first-ever budget consultation roadshow hosted at the district’s main shopping centres. In all, over 2000 residents responded to the consultation.
Around 63 per cent (of respondents) thought the council offered good value for money, up from 49 per cent in 2009. Residents indicated their priorities were schools and services for the over 65s, which have been reflected in the budget.
Residents also responded that they wanted the council to become as efficient as possible. Plans were drawn up in 2008 to start achieving this, reducing waste and duplication where possible and developing a more sustainable budget for the future. These plans are now starting to deliver significant savings, which will eventually amount to £40 million a year.