South Gloucestershire residents face 2025 ‘nightmare’ because of council policies, Tories claim

This year will be a “nightmare” for South Gloucestershire residents because of “unfair” Lib Dem/Labour policies, opposition Conservatives claim. The Tories have launched a political attack on the council’s ruling coalition, highlighting a list of controversial measures coming into force over the next 12 months.

The joint administration has hit back, accusing the Conservatives of avoiding difficult decisions and “irresponsibly kicking the can down the road” when they ran the authority until May 2023 and leaving a budget blackhole that now needs to be plugged. Tory group leader Cllr Sam Bromiley said residents would pay more for less in 2025 because of the “mismanagement” of the council by the Lib Dems and Labour.

He called on the partnership to rethink some of its most contentious policies, such as the introduction of car parking charges this spring and a proposed increase in garden waste collection charges from £60 to £70 after doubling it from £30 only last year. Conservatives have also opposed reducing black bin collections from fortnightly to three-weekly and building on large swathes of the greenbelt, with more details to be revealed in the next few days with the publication of the Local Plan housing blueprint.

Cllr Bromiley said: “Taken together, this list of unfair policies will make 2025 a nightmare year for South Glos residents. The Lib Dem/Labour coalition is actively pursuing measures that are harmful to residents, businesses and the local environment.

“I’m proud to say that the Conservative group has been instrumental in opposing these damaging policies at every opportunity. It is deeply regrettable that the administration has chosen to dismiss our appeals.

“By the next local elections in 2027, the results of four years of joint Lib Dem/Labour rule in South Glos will be higher household bills for residents, fewer council services being delivered, car parking charges introduced, black bin collections reduced, large chunks of greenbelt destroyed and climate change goals missed. This is a record that every single member of the Lib Dem and Labour groups should be deeply ashamed of.”

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In response, South Gloucestershire Council leader Lib Dem Cllr Maggie Tyrrell said: “When the Liberal Democrat/Labour partnership took office, years of chronic Conservative government underfunding left the council’s finances in a perilous state. Instead of making difficult decisions, the previous Conservative administration irresponsibly kicked the can down the road, leaving us a budget blackhole that must be accounted for.

“It is unsurprising that they do not support our vision of an efficient, financially sustainable council that protects vital services while balancing its books. We remain open to discussions with any members on how best to manage finances, but to date, we have had no constructive engagement from the Conservative Party.”