Stroud District Council has approved a budget for the upcoming financial year that includes a £10,000 allocation to explore temporary uses for the historic Brimscombe Port site. This inland port, dating back to the 1780s, is at the heart of the council’s major redevelopment ambitions.
While the council continues its search for a development partner who aligns with its vision for Brimscombe Port, a refreshed project board will be established to guide the site’s next phase. In the meantime, temporary activities are being considered to ensure the community benefits from the area during ongoing planning periods.
The approved budget also outlines a 2.99% increase in council tax, raising the portion payable to Stroud District Council for a Band D property by £7.27 to £250.35 annually. It is important to note that the total council tax bill will be higher when combined with levies from Gloucestershire County Council, the police, and parish councils.
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Over the next two years, nearly £2 million is earmarked for developing a new local plan that will define future development zones within the district. Council leader Chloe Turner (Green, Minchinhampton) highlighted the shifting landscape of government funding, noting the reduction in financial support for rural councils like Stroud as resources are redistributed towards metropolitan areas facing greater deprivation.
Turner explained that late notification of reduced government funding required budget adjustments, including an additional support grant of £734,000 for 2026/27. However, funding cuts exceeding £1 million are expected in 2027/28 and 2028/29. Despite these challenges, the council plans to invest £4.6 million in projects aligned with its revised strategy, including climate and nature grants, economic development, tourism efforts, and ongoing support for community initiatives like the crowdfunding project at Brimscombe Port.
The council also faces costs associated with local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire, with Stroud District Council responsible for £2 million of the total cost and an extra £1.5 million earmarked for direct district council expenses.
Labour councillor Terry Cook (Dursley) expressed support for the budget, emphasizing the need for careful financial management amid the uncertainty of government funding settlements.
The budget was ultimately approved with 38 votes in favor and six abstentions, setting a course for Stroud District Council’s priorities in the years ahead.