Opposition Conservatives have criticised South Gloucestershire Council’s ruling Lib Dem/Labour coalition for “broken promises” in its annual budget plans.
But the administration has hit back, saying it has protected the authority’s most vital services and that 14 years of Tory government austerity cuts had slashed funding, leaving the organisation with a financial black hole.
The council’s draft budget for 2026/27 from April is currently out to public consultation. It includes an inflation-busting 19% hike in garden waste collection fees from £63 to £75 a year, the threat of the axe for meals on wheels, pest control and the HandyVan household repairs service, and a 4.99% increase in council tax.
Conservative group leader Cllr Sam Bromiley (Parkwall & Warmley) said: “These plans amount to a budget of broken promises and misplaced priorities.
“Members of the Labour/Lib Dem administration previously said that future increases in the garden waste collection fee would be in line with inflation. But now they’re planning to increase it by 15% above inflation.
“At a time when families are already struggling with the cost of living, it’s outrageous that residents are being asked to pay more for services that are being cut. Residents shouldn’t have to pay more and get less. Our community deserves better and the Conservative group will continue to fight for a fair, balanced budget that protects services and puts people first.”
Other cuts under consideration include flood prevention work and business services to local schools.
South Gloucestershire Council leader Cllr Maggie Tyrrell (Lib Dem, Thornbury) said: “This administration has worked hard to ensure the council’s most vital services are maintained. We shouldn’t need to remind the Conservative group that it was 14 years of Conservative austerity cuts that slashed council funding in the first place, and that their administration left us with a budgetary black hole to fill.
“As ever, the opposition are quick to criticise these decisions but are never able to put forward any viable alternatives.”
The consultation, which is here, closes on Sunday, December 21, and the full council will agree the budget in February.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter