Oxfordshire Council to Raise Council Tax
Oxfordshire County Council will raise council tax to fund local services. According to Councillor Pieter-Paul Barker, the increase is intended to maintain essential services for residents throughout the county.
- The 4.99% council tax increase for 2026/27 is the maximum allowable and is composed of a 2.99% general rise and a 2% precept specifically for adult social care. For a Band D property, this will increase the annual payment to £1,911.40. - This tax hike is set against a backdrop of a projected £24.1 million shortfall in Oxfordshire County Council's funding over the next three years. This is attributed to changes in the central government's funding formula, which redirects money to more deprived areas of the country. - Key investments in the 2026/27 budget include an additional £19 million for children's services and £14 million for adult social care, which are the largest areas of council expenditure. These demographic and social care pressures are a primary driver of the budget increase. - To address local infrastructure challenges that impact business operations, the budget allocates an extra £2 million annually for gully clearance to mitigate flooding, bringing the total to £3.2 million. There is also a renewed commitment to road maintenance, with the Conservative opposition arguing for an even greater focus on fixing potholes. - The council's long-term strategy is intertwined with the region's economic identity as a global innovation hub, particularly in life sciences and technology. The Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan aims to foster a "vibrant, sustainable, inclusive, world leading economy, driven by innovation, enterprise and research excellence" by 2030. - Infrastructure projects supporting the innovation ecosystem are a priority, with significant investment in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor to accelerate housing, transport links, and business space expansion. The council's infrastructure strategy (OxIS) is a key investment document used to engage with government and business to support planned growth through 2050. - The budget was passed by the Liberal Democrat-run council, which incorporated amendments from the Green Party to add £900,000 for clearing paths and cycleways. Proposed amendments from the Conservative and Labour parties, which focused on different spending priorities such as more road repairs and targeted social care spending, were defeated. - Local business support and skills development, crucial for the biotech sector, are handled in partnership with Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). This organization focuses on delivering government programs like Growth Hubs and adult skills bootcamps to ensure a workforce that meets the needs of Oxfordshire's high-tech employers.
