By leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Toby Savage.

With 2020 now well underway, work at the Council has gathered considerable momentum as we progress towards the new financial year.

Monday saw the first Cabinet meeting of the year, and the first of two this month following the postponement of December’s meeting due to the General Election, with a packed agenda covering topics from assessing progress on the Council Plan and considering next steps for our Climate Emergency action, to tackling modern slavery and assessing our work to champion equality across our area.

Two notable items on the agenda were quarterly reports on the Council’s capital and revenue budgets, the two forms that local public investment comes in, presenting an up-to-date position in order to give us the best possible chance to plan for the future.

In February, the Council will look to agree its budget for the coming year, and I am keen to ensure that the administration’s priorities of improving school standards and our local highways continue to be very much at the forefront, underpinned by the focus on giving residents value for money on services they use.

Last year, record capital investments were made into both areas, and this year’s budget will see the next tranche of those commitments put to paper.

Months of hard work have already gone into piecing together the coming budget, most recently with a public consultation on our proposals. It is important for local residents to have a say in how we shape services and this input is carefully considered as we approach the Full Council budget meeting next month.

Some busy weeks lie ahead as the Council continues to return to action following the election and festive periods, and I am looking forward to making sure 2020 continues on a positive path for South Gloucestershire.