Council lays out spending plans

Debating its £372m budget for the year, the ruling Labour cabinet said its proposals would "make a difference".

Plans to close Marksbury Road library in Bedminster and cut £160,000 of funding to adult learning courses have been scrapped after local opposition.

Final recommendations will be debated at full council on 26 February.

Nearly £1.5m would be spent on recruiting an extra 42 Police Community Support Officers.

Efficiency savings

A further £2.4m would go towards offering older and disabled people live independently.

A new rape crisis centre would open in the city, costing £75,000 a year.

Money is also being spent on initiatives to combat fly-tipping and cleaning up neighbourhoods.

The new investments would be paid for mainly through efficiency savings elsewhere in the budget.

Council leader Helen Holland said: "This is an exciting budget that will deliver safer streets, healthier communities, better neighbourhoods and greater equality and justice.

"It will make a real difference to the way we deliver services, particularly to the most vulnerable people in our city."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Bristol City Council
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites