Oxford City Council received an unprecedented number of responses (around 300) during the recent round of Budget consultation, which ended on 31 January.
Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader, highlights this has been an exceptionally challenging budget-setting process, marked by the significant pressures on local government finances. The Council has made initial changes to the proposed Budget in response to the consultation, as well as a modest amount of additional funding it now expects to receive.
The government has recently announced that councils across England will receive a £600m support package to help them deliver key services, which paves the way for positive adjustments in the Council's budget. It translates to a one-off allocation of £240,000 specifically for the Council. This allocation, together with additional income secured as part of the proposed contract with new leisure provider Serco, will be used to address community needs and enhance local services, including:
- street cleaning: a reduction in the planned cut to street cleaning services
- community services: a reduction in the planned saving to community services by £150,000, resulting in a revised annual budget saving of £450,000 from 2025/26 onwards
- Frideswide Square: investment in improving the planters in Frideswide Square to enhance the public spaces
- Magdalen Wood paving: installation of new paving in Magdalen Wood to enhance the appearance and accessibility of the area
But the government's decision not to permit the Council to proceed with charging additional Council Tax for second homes has come as a blow. This unwelcome decision will result in reduced funds for services.
Councillor Ed Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, emphasised the significance of the additional funding from the government settlement, but acknowledged the challenges.
"The Council welcomes the additional funding from the Government settlement but we continue to express our concerns about the central government's understanding of the financial challenges faced by local authorities.
"The additional funding is offset by losses from not being able to charge Council Tax on second homes, as we planned. More significantly, the additional income we will receive from the recently announced ten-year Serco contract doesn't overcome the need to find savings. But it does mean we can reverse the proposed reduction in some street cleansing services and reduce the necessary savings in the communities budget, from an 8% to 6%."
Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management
The Council has also welcomed the two-year pay deal with the two trade unions which offers additional planning stability as well as providing welcome recognition for its workforce with whom the Council has an excellent working relationship.
The Council remains committed to transparent and community-focused decision-making and is continuing to review the responses received during the Budget consultation, meaning that further adjustments to the budget may be implemented to align with the community's priorities.
Rate this page
