The money that we spend on our services comes essentially from four major sources:

  1. Business rates
  2. Council tax
  3. Revenue Support Grant
  4. New Homes Bonus

The levels of income we receive from each is shown below:

Major income sources
Income source 2025/26 (£'000)

2024/25 (£'000)

Business rates 12,779 11,176
Council Tax 17,266 16,278
Revenue Support Grant / Funding Floor 739 211
New Homes Bonus 31 352
Total 30,815 28,017

General Central Government Grant

In 2025/26 Central Government are planning on continuing the Revenue Support Grant scheme and have introduced a Funding Floor Grant scheme. Our Revenue Support Grant for 2025/26 is due to be £256,000 with the Funding Floor grant due to be £483,000.

In 2024/25 this was £211,000.

Business Rates

Business Rates are paid on commercial property, such as factories, offices and shops. The element we are allowed to retain is used to fund council services.

In 2025/26, our estimated Retained Business Rates Income will be £12,799,483.

More can be found on our Business rates pages.

Council Tax

Council Tax is a form of local taxation, based on the banding of your accomodation.

In 2025/26, our Council Tax income will be £17,266,136, excluding Parish Precepts.

More details can be found on our Council Tax Income page.

Charges for our services

Many of our services are free, but some have a small charge. For example, we charge for car parking around the city and at Park and Ride car parks.

The level of income we receive directly to pay for service provision is available on our Spending Plans page.

More details can be found on our Fees and Charges page.

Please Note: the fees and charges documents are correct as of April of any given year. Some fees and charges may change after April. Please visit the relevant service area pages of our website to view current fees.

Contact the Finance Team

Address: Oxford City Council
Town Hall
St Aldate's
Oxford
OX1 1BX

Telephone: 01865 252851

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