Council’s budget approved
The council’s budget for 2026/2027 has been passed by Full Council.
The Greens have achieved financial stability and have a multi-year balanced budget that makes sure that we get the basics right while also investing in Bristol’s future.
With many councils across the country facing financial uncertainty, this is a real achievement. Greens in Bristol have made the decisions needed to get us to the point where we are now reversing some of the damaging cuts inflicted over years of austerity. This is set against the challenges of rising need and greater cost to deliver services.
The budget consists of £634 million of funding to pay for day-to-day services, £232 million of capital investments in large projects and the city’s infrastructure, plus other grants.
We are also very pleased that the budget protects the libraries budget in full, and the Cultural Investment Programme for the next three years.
The budget prioritises day-to-day services– bin collections, road maintenance, street cleansing – but also invests to secure high quality social care services and support schools. Projects to build new homes and support routes out of homelessness will continue to receive millions of pounds of investment. Likewise, there are ambitious plans for the ongoing transformation of transport systems and the decarbonisation of the economy which will secure long-term economic benefits.
The largest proportion of spending in the council’s annual budget is £378 million which goes towards supporting adults, families and children.
£350,000 will be spent on increasing the amount of street cleansing, and delivering an improved fly tipping collection, replacing services cut by the previous Labour administration. £1.3 million will be invested over two years on improving recycling.
The budget also includes money for starting the work to reopen public loos.
Over £20 million will be invested in delivering new housing and tackling homelessness, £60 million investment in transport systems and £26 million for supporting children and families.
Full Council approved a 2.99% rise in council tax and a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care precept. The total rise is 4.99%.
While there is extra funding from the Government over the next three years, this is mostly coming from the Government expecting the council to make the maximum increases in council tax alongside the greater retention of the business rates. Direct government grants are in fact being cut by over 60%.
On hold: Visitor permits cuts
We objected to the removal of free visitor parking permits after many of you got in touch with your concerns about this proposal.
We can now report that the council is pausing and rethinking this idea. As we write this, officers are going through each consultation response from everyone who replied before a final decision is made. Officers need to follow the proper legal process for what is a Traffic Regulation Order consultation.
Please be assured that George and Serena will continue to push for the removal of these permits to be dropped completely. We are keen to ensure it is not simply postponed.
A final announcement is likely to be made in spring. We will be keeping a careful eye on what happens next.
Community funding workshop: all welcome
Have you got ideas on how to improve our area? Why not come along to a community workshop with your suggestions and discover how Community Infrastructure Levy funding could help.
The workshop will be an opportunity to discuss local needs and ideas. Council officers will be on hand to provide expertise and advice on the scope and feasibility of project suggestions.
Join us at the workshop on Monday March 9 at The Redland Club on Burlington Road, 5.30 -7.30pm. We hope to see you there.
Ward surgeries
We hold regular surgeries on the first Friday of the month from midday to 1:30 at Redland Library on Whiteladies Road. Come and speak to us about local issues.
Serena Ralston: cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk
George Calascione: cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk