Possible Increase in Job Losses and Collection Charges due to Budget Cuts

Gloucester City Council is exploring measures including potential job losses and increased charges for certain collection services to address a 4.3 million budget gap. The council has formally requested emergency funding from the government after several years of overspending.

Officials emphasized that core services will continue uninterrupted, but financial pressures have mounted due to higher borrowing costs and reduced income from delays in completing The Forum development project.

Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre expressed strong concern over the situation, stating he was "appalled" by the developments and frustrated that the council had not informed him sooner. He confirmed that he has contacted colleagues in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to advocate for government support.

Following a manual audit of the council's accounts in Septembernecessitated by a 2021 cyberattack that disrupted systemsofficials discovered an additional 1.5 million deficit. This revealed previously unrecognized overspending from 2022 to 2024, putting the council in a precarious financial position.

As a result, some employees in the culture and community engagement departments may face redundancy or non-renewal of contracts. Additional potential cost-saving measures under consideration include ending the English Heritage lease for Blackfriars Priory, reducing city museum operating days, trimming staffing in the community well-being team, and limiting support for certain festivals and events.

The council is also reviewing proposals to increase fees for green and bulky waste collections.

Deputy council leader Declan Wilson described these decisions as "extremely difficult but necessary" to safeguard essential services and ensure the council's long-term financial stability.

Author: Lucas Grant