Conservative councillors have condemned South Gloucestershire Council’s latest budget proposals, warning that residents will be paying higher charges for fewer services.
The Labour/Liberal Democrat-run council has published its initial budget plans for the 2026/27 financial year.
The plans include higher garden waste collection charges, reductions in vital community services and the threat of further cuts to frontline provision.
The fee for collecting garden waste is currently £63, which increased from just £30 last year. But now the fee looks set to rise to a shocking £75 – a 19% hike. This is despite the administration previously promising to keep future increases in line with inflation, which currently sits at 4%.
Other services set to be cut include meals on wheels, pest control and the popular HandyVan repairs service.
The Labour/Lib Dem administration is also planning to hit residents with another increase in council tax.
Cllr Sam Bromiley, Leader of the Conservative said: “These plans amount to a budget of broken promises and misplaced priorities.
“Members of the Labour/Lib Dem administration previously said that future increases in the garden waste collection fee would be in line with inflation. But now they’re planning to increase it by 15% above inflation.
“At a time when families are already struggling with the cost of living, it’s outrageous that residents are being asked to pay more for services that are being cut.
“Residents shouldn’t have to pay more and get less. Our community deserves better and the Conservative Group will continue to fight for a fair, balanced budget that protects services and puts people first.”
Further cuts are also being considered to the council’s approach to flood prevention and to services it delivers to local schools.
During the Conservatives’ time in administration, even through the immense challenges of the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, the Group worked tirelessly to protect residents. The Conservatives shielded frontline services, resisted stealth taxes like parking charges and kept council tax rises to a minimum.
This new budget from the Labour/Lib Dem administration abandons that responsible approach. Instead, it shifts the burden directly onto local people asking them to pay more while receiving less.
To have your say on the Labour/Lib Dem administration’s budget proposals, click here.
