West Oxfordshire District Council looking to invest in services and future priorities

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, said: “We are a well-run council and have been sensibly and prudently managing our finances to deliver high quality services.  

“As a result of our approach we are in a position to propose freezing garden waste charges this year and also invest in key local priorities such as helping those facing homelessness, protecting the natural beauty of our area, keeping our town centres thriving, supporting our communities and tackling violence against women and girls.  

“Ultimately at our Council meeting in February we will once again look to publish a balanced budget that delivers for our communities and provides high quality services.” 

The draft 2026/27 budget reflects the Council’s commitment to investing in local priorities and improving council services. 

The investment includes supporting people facing homelessness. The Council is buying new emergency housing to reduce the need for costly temporary accommodation, creating 29 new bed spaces across the district. This is expected to save around £350,000 a year while helping residents stay in their local area. The Council will also be investing in additional roles to support people with housing needs. 

Efforts to protect and restore the natural environment across the district will also receive a boost. Resource will be put into delivering the Council’s Nature Recovery Plan and invest in projects that enhance biodiversity and help to preserve the unique character, heritage and beauty of West Oxfordshire’s countryside and landscapes. 

The Council is also increasing funding for its Healthy Communities and Community Funding officers, helping coordinate local partnerships, support vulnerable residents and deliver key programmes like the Oxfordshire Marmot Place Initiative and the Westhive community funding scheme. This also includes a project to help tackle violence against girls and women. 

A new real-time footfall data system will be installed to help revitalise Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton, supporting local businesses and shaping future investment. 

As well as freezing the garden waste annual licence fee, which continues to be the lowest in Oxfordshire, this draft budget also includes a District Council Tax rise of £5 per year for a Band D property – the equivalent of less than 10p a week – to help protect services while remaining one of the lowest-charging councils in the country. 

The final budget will go to Full Council for approval on 25 February 2026.