Cheltenham Borough Council has assured residents that no local services will be cut despite facing a £1.17 million budget gap for the coming year. During a meeting held on December 23, council finance chief Peter Jeffries (LD, Springbank) outlined plans to consult the public on potential budget proposals aimed at balancing the books.
The proposed measures include a 2.99% council tax increase, alongside hikes in fees for allotments, cemetery services, and bulky waste collection. However, parking charges will remain unchanged. Importantly, the council intends to avoid service cuts by postponing certain capital projects rather than reducing operational services.
The council acknowledged the ongoing financial pressures caused by over a decade of austerity measures, compounded by inflation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis. Jeffries emphasized, “These aren’t cuts, these are about balancing our budget. We’re managing reductions in government funding while trying to maintain service quality.”
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Councillor Izaac Tailford (LD, All Saints) criticized the national government for steadily decreasing local council funding year after year, lamenting the additional burdens placed on local authorities. “It feels like a Merry Christmas from the Labour government. Your gift is coal,” he remarked, highlighting the unfair challenges faced despite the council’s prudence and sound financial management.
Residents are invited to review the full budget documents and submit their views on the proposed measures via email at [email protected] by January 31, 2026.