Gloucestershire residents are facing a rise in council tax and residential parking permit fees starting April, as Gloucestershire County Council unveils its budget proposals for the 2026/27 financial year. The Liberal Democrat-led council has proposed a £697 million revenue budget, which includes an additional £83.81 per year for County Council services.
If approved, the average annual band D council tax will increase by 4.99%, from £1,679.65 to £1,763.46. This rise includes a 2.99% general council tax increase and a 2% increase to fund adult social care. It’s important to note that the total council tax bill will be higher once police, district, and any parish council charges are added.
Social care accounts for roughly 75% of the council’s budget, and the administration plans to invest an extra £15 million in road maintenance next year.
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Deputy leader and finance cabinet member Colin Hay, who presented the draft budget, emphasized that persistent underfunding by central government has forced the council to make tough financial decisions. “We had to find just under £10 million without scaling back our investment commitments,” Hay said, adding that the council will introduce “transformational” service changes to adapt to its budget constraints.
“We can no longer provide all the services the public expects at current levels,” he added. “We must adjust services according to available funding.”
In addition to the tax increase, parking permit fees will also rise significantly. The first residential parking permit will cost £6.66 per month – a £1.36 increase compared to current rates. A second permit will be priced at just over £13 per month, up around £2 from this year. To ease the impact on residents, the council plans to offer convenient monthly payment options.
The full budget for 2026/27 will be debated by all councillors on February 18.