Opposition Tories have accused the ruling Lib Dem/Labour coalition of driving South Gloucestershire Council’s finances “off a cliff”.
In their response to the authority’s draft annual budget, the Conservative group says the proposed use of £20million of reserves to plug a huge deficit shows the spending plans are about short-term survival at the expense of long-term stability.
The Lib Dems and Labour partnership, which teamed up to run the council in 2023 after the Tories lost their overall majority at the local elections, has consistently accused the former administration of leaving the organisation’s finances in a mess that it has inherited, on top of years of austerity and funding cuts from government.
Announcing a balanced budget for the next two years, council co-leader Cllr Maggie Tyrrell said that the local authority was still investing in free meals for children during school holidays and increasing the supply of affordable homes.
Council co-leader Cllr Ian Boulton said government funding continued to fall short of what was needed to continue delivering everything residents expected. He said the coalition was building and improving schools and expanding specialist provision.
But Conservative group leader Cllr Liz Brennan said: “The Liberal Democrat/Labour coalition has driven the council’s finances off a cliff. With a budget deficit of £35million and the use of almost £20million of precious reserves, this budget is not about long-term financial planning. It’s about short-term survival.
“Since the Lib Dem/Labour coalition took over in 2023, car parking charges have been introduced, council tax has risen and savings targets have been missed. Families are still struggling with the cost of living, yet this budget expects residents to plug the gap through yet another rise in council tax and another hike in fees, while essential services continue to feel stretched.
“For yet another year, residents will see no real improvement in their day-to-day lives. For yet another year, residents are being asked to pay more for less. On top of all this, the coalition is also proposing to reduce the district’s flood defences, cut funding for town and parish councils and offload the running of Grimsbury Farm to a third party.
“And let’s not forget – in May, black bin collections will be reduced to just once every three weeks. The coalition is out of ideas and out of money. The coffers are as empty as their promises. Residents deserve better.”
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter