The Green councillors on Gloucestershire County Council last week won extra money for flood management schemes.

The funding comes as the result of amendments proposed by the Greens, when the council met on Wednesday (February 21) to set the annual budget for the 2024/25 financial year.

Natural flood management projects, which use natural processes to address flooding risk on roads and residential areas and create additional habitat for nature, along with attractive green surroundings for communities, will now receive £300,000 of funding.

In addition, a further £100,000 originating via a motion put forward by Green group leader Cllr Cate Cody (Tewkesbury) will fund free bus passes for veterans seeking to return to work. And community libraries across the county will receive £2,000 each (a total of £16,000) to bridge the gap until their funding is reviewed later this year.

Cllr Chloe Turner (Green, Minchinhampton) said: "The flood management projects around the county are hugely positive and popular projects, and recent heavy rainfall has shown how vital such schemes are to protect Gloucestershire's residents from the effects of flooding.

"We were especially pleased that the Conservative administration chose to partner with us on the bus passes and libraries amendments - and that they have themselves added £2 million to the budget to start installing solar panels on the council's schools. This is something I have been urging them to do for some time - as it's an opportunity to cut costs and reduce emissions across the county's schools."

Other political groups gained funding for extra items including youth services, Public Rights of Way and rain gardens.