Ensuring that Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council is on a firm financial footing is central to all that we do. The council’s balanced 2025/26 budget of £151.7million was adopted on February 24.

Councils across the country are facing ongoing financial challenges and many have required bailouts, however we can be proud that Bath & North East Somerset continues to stand firmly on its own feet, thanks to strong management and responsible leadership.

Preparing this budget took months of demanding work. I want to recognise the efforts of our dedicated council officers and the cabinet member for Resources, Cllr Mark Elliott.

Our prudent, careful, balanced budget seeks to protect the most vulnerable in our communities whilst mitigating against the huge uncertainty we face.

Given the growing cost of social care and the current background of financial uncertainty, council approved a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax to safeguard delivery of essential frontline services.

We are very fortunate that the council’s Heritage Services will contribute the equivalent of £145 per household towards funding public services, allowing us to maintain one of the lowest council tax rates in the South West.

We have been able to fund priorities, such as ‘clean and green’ work to tackle weeds, graffiti and litter, and improving road safety with speed indicator signage and school street schemes.

We are investing £4 million in green projects to tackle the climate emergency. We are also committing £73.4 million over the next five years to help deliver affordable homes.

Somer Valley Rediscovered and Somer Valley Links are among the schemes that will receive support, improving access to local nature for residents and enhancing walking, wheeling and cycling connections.

The council is committed to supporting residents’ employability and helping businesses make the most of our local workforce. We are a hosting a Midlife Work Review event at the Apex City of Bath Hotel on April 2 from 10am-3pm.

This free event will focus on improving employment prospects for residents aged 45 and over and businesses who are looking to support their 45+ workforce. Residents and exhibitors can register for free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midlife-work-review-2025-tickets-1217693988499.

This will be a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead for you or your business. Employers will receive guidance and tools on how to support, upskill, and retain their workforce, while individuals can get advice on reviewing their finances, career, health and wellbeing.

Now more than ever, B&NES Council stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its people, acknowledging their incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. We must continue to defend democracy.

Warm thanks to residents who have opened their homes to Ukrainian guests and provided a safe place to stay.

So far, more than 380 guests have been hosted in B&NES as part of the Homes for Ukraine programme. We encourage more residents to consider becoming hosts. If you think you could offer a spare room for six months, please email [email protected].