The Council of Bath and North East Somerset approved the budget and Council Tax for 2025/26, which includes a 4.99% increase in Council Tax for Band D properties. The Council also approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26 and a Proportionality Review.

Budget and Council Tax 2025/26 and Financial Outlook

The Council approved the General Fund net revenue budget for 2025/26 at £151.71 million. This includes an increase in Council Tax of 2.99% (equivalent to £51.92 per Band D property per year) and a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept (equivalent to £34.72 per Band D property per year). This results in a total proposed Band D Council Tax for Bath and North East Somerset Council of £1,823.06, an overall increase of 4.99% or £86.64 per Band D property per year.

The budget aims to address a £14.01 million funding gap through a combination of income generation plans (£6.70 million) and cost reduction plans (£7.31 million). Significant budget growth has been allocated to Adult Services (£6.5 million) and Children's Services (£9.2 million) to address rising demand and costs.

The Council also approved the Capital Programme for 2025/26, totalling £76.41 million, which includes new and emerging capital bids. The Efficiency Strategy, Capital & Investment Strategy, MRP Policy, Annual Pay Policy Statement, and Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 were also approved.

Two amendments were moved and subsequently lost. The first, proposed by Councillor Shaun Hughes, sought to reinstate the Parking Reinvestment Fund. The second, proposed by Councillor Joanna Wright, contained a series of broader proposals.

Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2025/26

The Council unanimously approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26, which outlines the policies for managing the Council's borrowing, investments, and associated risks. The strategy aims to strike an appropriate balance between risk management and cost-effectiveness, with a focus on security and liquidity of investments. The strategy includes approved counterparties and limits for treasury management operations, as well as indicators for borrowing limits, credit risk, liquidity, interest rate exposures, and the maturity structure of borrowing. The strategy also incorporates options for ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) focused investments.

Proportionality Review

Following a recent by-election in Saltford, the Council reviewed its political proportionality arrangements. The Council agreed to a revised political proportionality table, which includes offering a place on the Corporate Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel to the Unaligned Councillor, Councillor Chris Warren. The Council also expressly disapplied the proportionality rule to the Restructuring Implementation Committee, with no Councillor voting against this arrangement.

Public Statements

Several members of the public made statements on various issues:

• Alasdair Barron and Jon Avent spoke about the Sydney Place Liveable Neighbourhood scheme, raising concerns about traffic displacement, lack of consultation, and the impact on residents and local businesses.
• Benazir Jatoi, Tara Gelpey, and Emily Denne from the charity Voices spoke about the charity's vital work supporting domestic abuse survivors and the urgent need for financial support to prevent potential cuts to their services.
• Grace Wiltshire addressed the Council on the plight of refugees in Bath, particularly Palestinian refugees, and asked about the Council's support mechanisms and the role of the newly appointed refugee officer.
• Jess Collier opposed the Sydney Road Liveable Neighbourhood scheme, citing negative impacts on residents, safety concerns, and a lack of public support.
• David Redgewell spoke on transport issues, including the transport levy, community transport, and the importance of working with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

Councillor Eleanor Jackson also made a statement regarding funding for SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education), highlighting a historical shortfall in funding and the potential legal implications.