West Oxfordshire District Council has approved its budget – and set a 10p a week council tax rise.
The district council's part of this year's Council Tax bill will rise by £5 a year for the average band D household from £109.38 in 2021/22 to £114.38 from April.
The budget for 2022-23 was agreed at a full council meeting last week.
Councillor Suzi Coul, cabinet member for finance, said: “With the rising costs of delivering services and limited funding, as a Council we must manage our finances carefully.
“This budget will continue to provide the services we know people value, such as free parking and local community grants, while also allowing us to tackle local priorities.
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“It will enable us to support the district's recovery from the impact of Covid-19, invest in improvements to local parks, tackle air quality issues, strengthen our approach to biodiversity and net zero carbon new homes, protect our most vulnerable residents, support our local economy and continue our work to provide homes for the people who need them at costs they can afford.”
However, at the meeting the ruling Conservative councillors hit out at opposition for neither supporting nor opposing the budget.
Liberal Democrat councillors abstained and Labour abstained on the budget but backed the “inevitable” tax increase.
Lib Dem councillor Andy Graham said it was “good in narrative” with “some untold truths that lie underneath”.
He welcomed the continuation of community grants and maintenance of the district’s recycling system but added: “This administration is sitting on a cushion for a rainy day and I do question whether a £5 charge is helping us at all, the reserves are already there so it is perhaps not necessary.
“This is a sit-on-your-hands, contained budget, not ambitious. I think the long-term financial strategy is not there and should be at this particular time.”
Councillor Geoff Saul expressed “concern” over projections that there would be a £2 million shortfall to manage in 2023-24.
“For years now councils have depended on special grants, one-off funds and last-minute arrangements just to continue with essential services. I think everyone agrees we should not and cannot go on like this," said the Labour councillor.
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“Above all else, we need the Government to provide the stability of longer-term funding plans, a three- or five-year settlement and greater autonomy for local government generally.
“We will not vote against this budget but neither do we accept the writ of this Conservative government that things should be as they are.”
Councillor Suzi Coul hit back.
“You have given platitudes and complaints about things that are not actually on the budget but you have not given any alternatives because there are none,” she said.
“It has been a challenging time yet we are in a position that most councils would be envious of. No credit is given for that.
“I find it extremely disappointing that the whole of the opposition are going to abstain, not actually vote against, because they don’t have anything to vote against. Abstaining because they don’t have the – I will say it – guts to stand up against their political parties and actually agree with a Conservative budget that is prudent and delivering for our residents.”
Only 7 per cent of the council tax bill paid by residents goes to WODC. The majority goes to Oxfordshire County Council, Police and Oxfordshire Fire Service with local Town or Parish Councils receiving the remainder.
Councillor Alaa Al-Yousuf said he had found “astonishing” Cllr Graham’s stance on council tax.
He said: “When I look at what extra my residents will be paying in the coming year, what do I see?
“I see £5 extra going to this council, £10 extra going to Thames Valley Police and a whopping £78.50 going to Oxfordshire County Council, despite the fact they have been given money to smooth over the impact of the various crises and challenges, stashing away millions into reserves.
“You cannot have it both ways, you cannot say nothing at the county council and then say the opposite when this budget has been prudent and consistent. Get your maths right, I would say.”
Anyone who needs support with paying Council Tax should visit the WODC website or call customer services team to see if you are eligible.
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