Budget cuts published

The Conservatives have published their draft budget, which will be discussed at a meeting on Monday. You can read the detail in the meeting papers but some of the headlines are:

• Council tax is proposed to rise by 3.99%, made up of a 1.99% rise towards general services and a 2% rise specifically for adult social care.
• By the end of 2015/16 the council will have saved £56m from its annual budget, with another £23m per anum of savings planned for the next four years - but even that leaves an £8m hole in the budget for 2019/20.
• Funding for services including youth provision, libraries, transport and the council tax support scheme will be cut.
• There will be no New Homes Bonus money to support the areas that take new housing - instead it will all be used to prop up the central budget.

One thing you won't find is any reference to green bins - despite their pre-election promises, the Conservatives have said nothing about them in their 3 year budget.

Have your say on child health services

The South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wants to hear your views on their new plans for integrated children's community health services. To find out what they're proposing and let them know what you think please take a look at www.yourhealthyfuture.org between 3rd September and 25th November 2015. If you have any questions, you can contact info@yourhealthyfuture.org or 0117 976 6600.

South Glos goes text friendly

Following a suggestion by Lib Dem councillors, you can now text South Gloucestershire Council with general enquiries about services, thanks to the launch of a text messaging service.

By saving the number 07950 080 111 to your mobile phone, you can text in your enquiries - maybe to tell South Glos about a problem while you're out and about. The new service will also help people with hearing impairments.

Texts will go directly to the council's customer services contact centre where staff will try to answer your enquiry and respond by text during the next working day.

Texts may be subject to the normal charge by your mobile phone network provider.

To find out more about this service please visit the South Glos website.