PROTESTS are planned outside the town hall this afternoon as Oxford City Council meets to set its budget for the next year.

Oxford residents are planning to meet at 5pm to demonstrate against the closure of the Lucy Faithfull House homeless hostel in Speedwell Street.

At the meeting councillors will be asked to approve plans that include a council tax rise of 1.99 per cent. 

This is the maximum amount allowed without a referendum and it is the third year in a row ratepayers in the city have faced a maximum rise.

Oxfordshire County Council is also set to increase its council tax – the largest share of most household bills – by five per cent, also the maximum allowed.

The city council meeting starts at 5pm on Monday in the Town Hall.