COUNCIL tax will be frozen for the fifth year in a row in Gloucestershire as councillors agreed the county’s 2015/16 budget.

Gloucestershire’s £420million budget will focus on investing in rural transport, Wifi in libraries and the Highways Local scheme.

Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors negotiated a £598,000 increase in investment, money that was going to spent paying off some of the county’s debt.

Investments include £100,000 to carry out feasibility studies and preparation work for future cycling schemes, £100,000 to invest in transport and £36,000 ongoing cost to implement the Living Wage.

Cllr Lesley Williams, Leader of the Labour group, said: "I feel very strongly that people should be paid fairly so I am delighted that our proposal to invest in paying the Living Wage was agreed."

Another £100,000 will be spent on installing free Wifi in all county and community libraries and £30,000 will be spent on the Rural Sustainable Drainage Scheme for the Frome catchment area.

The budget is in line with the council's strategy and its savings programme Meeting the Challenge - Together We Can which looks to make savings of around £75million over the next three years to meet the cost of Gloucestershire's ageing population, and expected reductions in central government grant.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Deputy Leader of the Conservative group, said: "This is a responsible budget that ensures we're focussing our money where we need to be and that's on supporting the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire without putting up council tax."

An extra £132,500 was allocated for the Highways Local scheme, giving each councillor an extra £2,500 per year to spend on highways maintenance.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "I am proud that eight of our nine proposals were accepted. They will make a big difference across Gloucestershire. From introducing free WiFi to all county libraries, to helping the Red Cross Fire Emergency Support Service and improving cycle routes in the county."