Budget News 2025-26

Stroud Town Council has set out its spending plans for the next 12 months. As well as covering core services, the Council's budget will fund a series of important projects.

These include the continued improvement of the town's play areas. New play equipment has already been installed in many of the town's parks. Recently, new fencing and a slow-closing gate were installed at the Leazes, in response to concerns from members of the public about the open entrance.

The Council is currently working on much-needed renovations to the playground in Park Gardens. The charity Allsorts has partnered with us to assist with accessibility plans for play equipment and outdoor spaces for children and families with additional needs and disabilities. These works will begin soon.

Over the past weeks, the Council has also been consulting with local groups about the development of the old Locking Hill surgery site. The intention is for the refurbished building to house not only the Council offices, but also to become a community resource, providing a permanent space for local groups and service delivery.

Community groups have been discussing with us what size and type of spaces are most needed, the resources that will be required and how they might also make use of the large Council Chamber, which will be shared with them.

Mayor of Stroud, Tony Davey, said:

''The opportunity to work with community groups in designing the new premises and then for the Council to be co-located with them will be of enormous benefit to us all''.

The Council's Green Spaces team moved into the new premises in January and the Council is now lining up contractors for the main refurbishment programme later in the year. The purchase and renovation of the property are being funded by a public works loan and the proceeds of selling the current Council building on London Road.

Residents in Stroud often tell us that there is not enough for young people to do in the town. With this in mind, we are currently working with local partners to facilitate sessions with groups of young people to identify local needs, discuss priorities and propose how funds might best be used for young people in Stroud. The outcome of these sessions will help shape projects and services over the coming year and beyond.

The Town Council has now taken on various bus shelters from Stroud District Council, many of which are in urgent need of cleaning and repair. We will be working with the community to ensure that the shelters are usefully situated, safe and clean and have suitable seating. We will then start looking at opportunities to provide new shelters at busy bus stops and are confident that residents will see significant improvements over the next year.

At the same time, Gloucestershire County Council will be pushing forward with significant improvements at Merrywalks, to include new shelters and Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) boards. Stroud Town Council is contributing £10,000 to the RTPI boards from our share of developers' contributions to local infrastructure, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

We will also be using funding from CIL, along with a grant from Stroud District Council's Vitality Fund and our own reserves, to improve signage and information around the town and its green spaces. Our aim is to help people find their way around and provide engaging information for visitors. We will be working with local partners to develop the content and ensure the best locations.

Finally, alongside a review of our long-term strategy, we are already making preparations for devolution and local government reorganisation, which will see the creation of a Unitary Authority to replace the 6 district/city/borough councils in Gloucestershire. This will have a significant impact on Stroud town, which is home to many sites and services which benefit residents from across the district. We will be consulting with residents about the implications for Stroud town once plans for the Unitary Authority become clearer.

The Council has agreed a total budget of £1,179,513 of which £1,072,385 will be funded by the Council Tax, equivalent to £243.82 for a Band D household – an increase of 43 pence a week.

If you have any questions or comments about the budget or about any of the Council's current projects, please contact us.