At today’s Cabinet meeting at County Hall, the Council’s draft net budget of £400 million was given the green light to go forward for consultation and further consideration by councillors.

The budget also includes the draft capital programme of £413 million to ensure the Council can continue its ambitious programme of improvements across the county.

The Council is also proposing to invest £3.5 million in 2023/24 to support Public Transport (including local buses) as it recovers from the pandemic. This is on top of the £1.5 million commitment made in 2022/23 with further work being carried out to explore how this can also be met with greater use of community transport options, such as exists in Bromsgrove and Malvern.

The proposals also see a continuation of the capital programme set by the Council last February as well as new Government funded schemes, such as the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme.

The proposed budget for 2023/24 is set to be discussed again at Cabinet in early February before being considered by County Councillors at the Full Council Meeting on 16 February.