Millions raised by Bristol CAZ could fund subsidised buses and road repairs
The City Council's budget proposals for 2024/5 are currently under consultation - as they look to fill a £32 million black hole
About £9million from Bristol’s Clean Air Zone charges will help pay for subsidised buses and road improvements under the city council’s proposed annual budget.
Money from e-scooter payments will also fund road repairs, but it will cost more to get married at the register office or pay for a registrar to attend a licensed venue.
Spending will be cut on signage and wayfinding information, which is likely to have a “disproportionate impact on disabled people”, and the plug is set to be pulled for at least 12 months on the authority’s communities programme, which works with underrepresented groups in deprived areas.
Reviews of care packages will be increased to make sure they’re needed, while technology may replace some direct human support as part of a raft of cost-cutting proposals for the sector, which is Bristol City Council’s second biggest area of spend behind education.
The plans have been revealed in the budget’s public consultation documents, which is open until December 21 before it goes to cabinet for approval the following month ahead of a final decision by full council in February.
However, residents are not being asked for their views on any of the savings proposals because the council says they are unlikely to mean major changes to services.
While they are not as headline-grabbing as in previous years, some could have an impact on people’s lives.
Twenty-five new “savings”, including ways to make more money, are suggested for the next five years totalling £23.4million, minus £1.7million to put them into place, leaving an actual cost reduction of £21.7million.
But this only closes about two-thirds of the £32million budget shortfall.
The council said: “This means we are likely to need to make some more challenging decisions in February 2024 for 2024/25 and beyond to bridge the remaining gap.”
There are also 11 “save to invest” proposals, where money is spent to save money in future years, mainly focusing on more accommodation for children in care, as well as a suggestion to buy homes to house asylum seekers.
One of the areas where the authority is seeking feedback, however, is the increase in council tax, which it has built into its forecast finances as the maximum five per cent allowed by government, including two per cent ring-fenced for social care.
The consultation gives options from a freeze or increases of one, two and three per cent for the main council tax element and zero, one or two per cent for social care.
A five per cent hike would mean a £99.80 annual rise, or £1.92 a week, for band D properties and £77.63, or £1.49 a week, for band B, although the figures do not include the much smaller amounts levied by the police and fire services.
The consultation said: “If these levels are not progressed then the funding gap for our services will be greater than the £32million and further reductions and savings proposals will be needed to set a balanced budget.”
It said £500,000 a year could be used from e-scooter operator payments for road maintenance, including support for the use of bikes and e-scooters.
About £6.3million in CAZ fees would contribute to the amount the authority pays in its transport levy to the West of England Combined Authority to prop up loss-making but vital bus services, along with concessionary fares.
A further £2.3million from the charges would fund repairs to roads and footpaths, including improved lighting, in 2024/25, while another £350,000 would pay for yellow lines, crossings and dropped kerbs.
Savings of £600,000 are planned for homecare packages by reviewing recipients who have not had a reassessment in the last year
The consultation papers said: “This would make sure they receive the amount and type of care and support that is appropriate to their needs and can be as independent as possible.
“For example, by using technology and/or equipment to help people be more independent, we would spend less on direct care and support provided by our teams.
“Reviews would be based on an individual’s personal strengths and their social and community networks, in order to promote their wellbeing and independence.”
About £1.5million would be cut from longer-term care packages. where people have moved from hospital into residential or nursing care, by increasing the number of reviews at six and 12 weeks after leaving hospital.
“This will allow us to revise care packages and/or stop those that are no longer needed,” the documents said.
“This will make sure people receive care and support that is appropriate to their needs, while their independence continues to be supported and promoted.”
Housing-related support would be reduced by £1.8million and the reablement team’s budget by £1.25million, although the council says this would actually result in more people receiving the service.
Increased reviews of people detained under the Mental Health Act would save £1.8million by 2025/26 by reducing the overall need for care.
An initial £597,000 additional investment in new council-run children’s homes would eventually save £396,000 a year because fewer young people would need expensive placements outside the city.
About £3.6million would be saved by reducing the authority’s reliance on costly, privately managed temporary accommodation and instead renting properties direct from landlords.
The council would spend £60,000 less by updating wayfinding signs less frequently, while a rise in register office prices “in line with current market rates”, including ceremony fees, charges for couples to secure a date and for registrars to attend licensed venues, would save £76,000 next year.
But the papers said: “There is likely to be a disproportionate impact on people from low-income households who cannot afford higher fees, making marriage, civil partnerships and other services less accessible.”
Residents can have their say on the proposed budget here.