Weekly column from SDC deputy leader Natalie Bennett

Improved community facilities, investment in local projects and help for residents who are struggling with the cost of living are central to SDC’s 2024/25 budget that was approved last week.

I’m pleased that we have kept the district council tax increase to a minimum, at 2.99 per cent (13p per week for the average Band D household) and that the provision of 100 per cent council tax support for people in need will continue.

SDC’s services make up approximately 11 per cent of the Council Tax bill, with the other elements provided by Gloucestershire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, and the Parish and Town Councils.

The council’s services include waste and recycling, planning, environmental health, parking, parks and recreation, leisure centres, The Museum in the Park, canal restoration, animal welfare, benefits administration and advice, elections, youth work, upkeep of open spaces including Selsley Common and Cam Peak and Long Down upkeep, plus licensing and flood management.

In response to calls from local business about the importance of parking provision, the agreed budget also freezes 85% of car parking charges in Stroud for the second year running and extends the current “Free after 3pm” offer, to “Free after 2pm” at the London Road car park and Brunel Mall multi-story car park.

SDC has also recently approved the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for 2024/25.

More than £1.2million will be invested in Stroud district to enable a wide range of projects that will benefit thousands of residents for years to come.

CIL funding is paid by developers of new homes to help provide for any additional demand that may be placed on local infrastructure by new housing growth.