GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council has frozen council tax for the fifth year in a row and set its budget for 2015/16 with extra investment for rural transport, Wifi in libraries and the Highways Local scheme.

At its full council meeting on Wednesday, members agreed to set a budget of £420.03million with £598,000 more targeted investment than originally recommended.

The extra investments put forward by the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors will be mostly funded instead of paying off some of the council’s debt.

Some of the investments are: an extra £132,500 into the Highways Local scheme, giving each councillor an extra £2,500 per year to spend on highways maintenance (total £22,500); £100,000 to carry out feasibility studies and prep work for future cycling schemes; £100,000 to invest in transport; £100,000 to install free Wifi in all county and community libraries; £36,000 ongoing cost to implement the living wage and £30,000 into the Rural Sustainable Drainage Scheme for the Frome catchment area.

In addition to the extra investments, members agreed a council tax freeze for the fifth year in a row.

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 2015-2018 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.”

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."

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.”

Cllr Alan Preest, Leader of the UKIP group, said: “This is a tough budget and we know things are going to keep getting tougher, but I am pleased that we have been able to agree a budget that doesn’t put anymore financial burden on council tax payers.”