West Oxfordshire District Council commits additional funding for advice and support for West Oxfordshire residents facing financial difficulty

The Council has agreed to continue its partnership with West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice, ensuring residents can access free, independent advice and practical support when facing financial difficulties, housing problems or challenges accessing welfare support. 

The service supported 3,408 West Oxfordshire residents with 8,393 issues during 2024/25. In 2025/26, that support reached 4,695 residents, demonstrating the important role the service plays in communities across the district. 

For residents experiencing difficult circumstances, getting the right advice early can make a significant difference. The service helps people understand their options, access the support they are entitled to and take steps to resolve problems before they become more serious. 

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: 

“We’re really pleased to have secured this support for residents for another three years. Thousands of people across West Oxfordshire turn to Citizens Advice each year for help with housing, welfare and debt, and behind every one of those figures is a resident or family who needs practical support to help them through a difficult situation. 

“Financial pressures, housing concerns and welfare issues can have a huge impact on people’s lives and often they are closely connected. Having trusted, independent advice available locally means residents have somewhere to turn, can understand the support available to them and get help early before problems become more serious. 

"With Local Government Reorganisation ahead, we want to give people who rely on this service as much stability and certainty as possible. Securing it for another three years means that support can continue through this period of change and provides a strong service that can move forward into the new unitary council arrangements.” 

The Council originally commissioned West Oxfordshire Citizens Advice to provide the service from April 2024. Alongside the direct support provided to residents, the service gives the Council valuable insight into the challenges people are experiencing locally, helping it understand changing needs and shape support for communities. 

The new agreement will run from 1 April 2027 until 31 March 2030, providing continuity for residents before and after Local Government Reorganisation.