An email from B&NES has just shown up on my desktop and, funnily enough, it mentions something I was recently discussing with friends .
It was a rumour that B&NES would be introducing charges for Discovery Cards and reducing the open hours for waste and recycling centres.
Well then, it’s good to hear neither action is proposed, though in this message about the next financial year’s budget, steel yourselves for an increase in Council Tax.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says it is proposing a balanced budget that focuses on protecting the most vulnerable and supporting residents’ priorities, including road maintenance, keeping streets clean and safe, and improving the local environment.
The budget report, to be presented to cabinet on February 12, contains detailed proposals to balance the council’s day-to-day spending of
£193.17million for 2026/27. The budget will then go to full council on February 24.
Councillor Mark Elliott, Cabinet member for Resources, said: “Despite facing a £12.5m cut over the next three years, as a result of the government’s Fair Funding review, this is a budget that protects services for children and older people while continuing to invest in our road network, support public transport, and keep our streets clean and safe.
“The council is committed to listening to residents, and I want to thank everyone who took part in the budget consultation. As a result of your feedback, we will keep the same opening hours for our waste and recycling centres and won’t be changing the terms of the residents’ Discovery Card.”
The report also sets out investment in:
- Transport, including road maintenance and improving walking and cycling routes, including £1.1m forelectric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- £9.6m across Children’s Services and Adults’ Social Care, where pressures continue to grow.
- Foster care investment of £500k over two years to support home improvements.
- Investment in schools, including Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, with £1.7m to prepare the Culverhay site ready for work to deliver new specialist places.
- Investing £350k in programmes like Language for Life to reduce the gap in educational outcomes for children.
- £320k investment to help tackle domestic violence, address anti-social behaviour and tackle crime related to alcohol and substance misuse.
- Upgrades to community facilities, including £880k for Odd Down Sports Ground, additional indoor and outdoor fitness spaces and improved facilities for families with young children.
- £360k play area refurbishment in parks.
- £1.8m to explore the potential for green hydroelectric power at Pulteney Gate, next to the weir, which could one day help power the Guildhall, as well as funding alternative options for the existing radial gate.
The budget includes a recommendation that the general Council Tax is increased by 2.99% in 2026/27 (an increase of £54.51 per Band D property) and the Adult Social Care Precept is increased by 2% (an increase of £36.46 per Band D property).
This results in a total proposed Band D Council Tax for Bath & North East Somerset Council next year of £1,914.03 (£1,823.06 in 2025/26) an overall increase of 4.99% or £90.97 per Band D property (£1.75 per week).
In a separate report also going before the cabinet, councillors are being asked to reaffirm their commitment to promoting the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone and acknowledge that further investment may need to be secured from various means to support the delivery of the job-creating scheme. The further investment does not relate to the current council budget setting process.
All the reports can be found here, and the meeting can be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel.
