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 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.

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.

The Liberal Democrats are demanding to know why Gloucester missed out on a share of a £830 million Government fund to help high streets recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The city council submitted a 17-page bid for funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government's Future High Streets Fund.

A Lib Dem councillor has welcomed the granting of planning consent for Gloucester's £85 million digital quarter.

Councillors have given consent for the first phase of The Forum, including 43 apartments and retail space in the Kings Quarter redevelopment. Work on the first phase is expected to start in the spring.

A Liberal Democrat councillor has welcomed improvement work to the runways at Gloucestershire Airport.

Councillors at Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council, which are joint shareholders of the airport, agreed the redevelopment.

The two councils will provide funding for the resurfacing work and in return the airport will transfer the Meteor business park to the councils, which will provide an annual rental income of £650,000.