COUNCIL tax in Gloucestershire is set to increase for the next financial year.

Gloucestershire County Council’s draft budget for 2016/17 will be considered by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday including a rise in council tax. 

A council tax increase of 1.99 per cent, along with an additional adult social care levy of two per cent, is being proposed which would mean an increase of £45.25 a year for an average band D household.

Cost reductions of more than £35 million are also put forward in the draft budget, reflecting decreasing funding from central government.

The overall budget has been reduced by more than £11 million from this year despite the council tax hike which will increase the council’s income by almost £10 million.

Included in the draft is provision for an income of an estimated £60 million from selling assets “which will be used to repay debt and/or finance capital expenditure to avoid borrowing”. 

The proposed revenue budget for 2017/18 totals £397 million, a net reduction of £11 million from 2016/17. 

Before agreeing next year’s budget, the council wants people across the county to have their say.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “We want to improve the quality of life for people and communities in Gloucestershire.

“Our priority must be to support the most vulnerable adults and children in our county, however we also know people want us to invest in our roads.

“I think this budget finds the right balance and I want to know what local people think, so please give us your views.”