Gloucester City Council's budget has been branded "dull" as financially-stretched residents face paying more for services.

The ruling Conservatives saw their budget for the 2021/2022 financial year approved by a majority of councillors.

Gloucester City Council's share of the council tax bill will rise 2.4% next year.

The Conservatives have been accused of complacency over the state of roads and pavements in Gloucester.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton said there was an £80 million backlog of repairs for highways across Gloucestershire.

And he criticised the Conservative cabinet member for complacency over the state of the roads - highlighting several in the city that need fixing.

A local Liberal Democrat who works in the social care sector is supporting calls for the Government to give carers a break by providing emergency funding to local authorities for respite care.

More than 12,000 people in Gloucester are looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people during the Covid pandemic, according to figures from the 2011 Census.

The annual fee for residents' parking schemes in Gloucester has been frozen - thanks to the Liberal Democrats.

The Conservatives who run Gloucestershire County Council had planned to increase the annual fee by 3%, which follows on from an inflation-busting 23.6% hike over the last two years.

But as councillors at Shire Hall met to discuss the county council budget, the Liberal Democrats successfully moved an amendment to freeze the annual fees for residents' parking permits.

The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the mock designs for what the former Debenhams building could look like.

Gloucester-based Quattro Design Architects has developed two concepts for the building off Northgate Street.

The first design sees the ground floor of the 1930s art deco building for retail and hospitality, while the remainder set aside for commercial units.

There are fears the iconic Debenhams building in Gloucester could be demolished after senior Conservative councillors twice refused to rule it out.

The department store in Kings Square is facing closure after Debenhams went into administration and the brand was bought by online fashion retailer Boohoo Group.

A pothole-ridden road in the centre of Gloucester is set to be resurfaced by the county council after pressure from the Liberal Democrats.

Dr Rebecca Trimnell, Liberal Democrat campaigner in Westgate, has been campaigning for Parliament Street, from Chillingworth Mews to Brunswick Road, to be resurfaced because of its poor condition.

Progress is being made on redeveloping a Gloucester eyesore - but it is slow going, say the Liberal Democrats.

The former Trident Life building on London Road in Kingsholm has been empty for a number of years.

The services inside have been stripped out making number 69 impossible to quickly rent out for offices while no 65 is so derelict it is not worth saving.

The Liberal Democrats have welcomed news that Gloucester City Council is looking at how it can hold cultural events safely this year.

The council is considering socially distanced events or online alternatives to ensure that the city's cultural life continues.

The Bright Nights festival and Of Earth and Sky by Luke Jerram were both held outdoors during the pandemic and showed how cultural events can still be held safely.