The Forest of Dean Cabinet approved the first draft budget proposals for 2019/20 on Wednesday, December 19th.  The spending proposals are now open for a five week public consultation.

The Forest of Dean District Council is preparing for a financially difficult year, against a background of declining government funding for local councils and rising costs.

The proposed settlement for 2019/20 indicates a further government revenue support grant reduction in cash terms of £0.285 million or 9.9%.

The draft budget for 2019/20, identifies various funding initiatives and efficiency savings in the coming year to help the council become self-financing and less dependent on government support.

There will be a small increase in the district council’s share of council tax. The increase of 2.99% per cent will take the District element of council tax up to £179.03 for the average Band D taxpayer, an increase of £5.20 a year (10p per week).

The cabinet proposes to freeze car park charges but green waste charges will rise by £2 per annum in recognition of the increasing costs associated with the service.

There will be no cuts in frontline services in 2019/20. 

The full budget report for 2019/20 is available to view on the District Council’s website www.fdean.gov.uk in the ‘Council meetings’ section under item 8 of the 19 December 2018 Cabinet meeting agenda.

You can comment on the budget proposals by sending your comments to addressed to Paul Jones, Chief Finance Officer – [email protected]

All comments should be received by 5pm on Friday, January 25th, 2019. 

All public comments will be taken into account by the Cabinet when putting forward their final budget proposals, which will be presented to full council for approval on Thursday, February 21st.