GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council will be tightening the purse strings after receiving a lower than expected budget for next year.

The county council will be receiving a lower increase in funds than most other shire councils in the country, at a time when it is still paying for the aftermath of the summer floods.

The leader of the council, Cllr Barry Dare, called it a "shoddy deal".

Gloucestershire will receive a 4.4 per cent increase on last year's budget, which is £4 million on an overall budget of £300 million. This compares with a national average increase of 5.5 per cent for other shire counties.

The county council has an estimated £25 million highway repair bill from the floods and will also have to contend with the rising number of older people and the increasing cost of landfill.

It is estimated that an extra 300 people over 85 per year will need social care support, at an estimated cost of £2.2 million.

Cllr Julie Girling, cabinet member at the council, said: "This year has been particularly hard for Gloucestershire, with the flooding emergency costing the county £50 million.

"We are working hard to secure more government money to help pay for our recovery, but we will have to look at making difficult choices about the services we can provide next year.

"It doesn't seem fair that we've received a below average increase compared to similar councils, when the challenges we now face are much bigger."

Cllr Dare said: "If you take into account inflation and the cost of their new waste taxes, Gloucestershire is actually getting less money than last year.

"From this we have to pay for the care of more older people than ever before, whilst still carrying the cost of other Government cuts - such as to school buildings and roads."

Cllr Dennis Andrewartha, county councillor for Cam and Dursley, added: "There is no doubt the county is under severe pressure. The pressure of attempting to look after the elderly decently is increasing day by day because people are living longer.

"With regard to Stroud district, I suspect that with good management we will still see growth. Compared with other areas of Gloucestershire we will be in a comfortable position."