Corporate Plan and draft Budget 2012/13 to 2015/16

We want your views

On 7 December, the City Executive Board agreed that Oxford City Council's draft Corporate Plan and draft budget proposals for the next four years should be released for consultation.

Our draft Corporate Plan (see "Consultation Documents" below) sets out our strategies, priorities and key projects. Our ambition is to build a world class city for everyone and our priorities are:

• a vibrant and sustainable economy
• meeting housing needs
• strong and active communities
• a cleaner, greener Oxford
• an efficient and effective Council.

Our draft budget (see "Consultation Documents" below) sets out our proposed financial strategy for delivering the Corporate Plan and includes our detailed spending plans.

Our budget proposals take into account the wider impact of the current economic downturn as well as the consequences of Government cuts and changes in policy. 

We face a number of financial pressures and uncertainties including:

• A 28% reduction in central Government grant over the four year planning period, 22% of which falls within the first two years. Local government has been hit hardest of all areas by Government cuts and the Government has indicated that the sector will face further cuts beyond 2015.
• Uncertainties around government policies and their financial implications for Oxford - including the introduction of Universal Credit, cuts to council tax benefit and reforms to Business Rates
• The impact of the economic downturn on income from car parking and commercial rents
• Increased demand for Council services as a consequence of the recession and deficit reduction initiatives by other organisations.

Oxford City Council is managing its way through these difficult times by significantly increasing its efficiency. Over the last three years, we have made efficiency savings of around £4 million a year. Further savings of £9.5 million are planned over the period 2011-12 to 2014-15 and the efficiency drive will continue beyond 2015.  As a result of our strong financial management, the Council is in a position to protect our core services - particularly those that serve the most vulnerable in our community - and to continue investing in the city.

You can respond to this consultation in one of four ways:

1. By registering and completing our online survey - click on the link to the questionnaire (below the consultation documents).

2. By emailing your comments to consultation@oxford.gov.uk

3. By printing the leaflet version of the survey and returning to us by post (see "Respond by post" below)

4. By collecting a leaflet version of the survey at the Town Hall; our Customer Service contact centres at St Aldate's, Oxford and Templars Square, Cowley; in libraries or leisure centres in the city (available from Wednesday 21st December)

Remember to let us know if you would like to be entered into our £100 prize draw.

Thank you for your help

This consultation has now closed.

Consultation Documents

• Corporate Plan (1.0Mb)
  Oxford City Council Corporate Plan 2012-2017 draft for consultation: Building a World Class City for Everyone.
  09 Dec 2011 10:29
• Draft Budget (294Kb)
  Medium Term Financial Strategy 2012-13 to 2015-16 and 2012-13 Budget for consultation: A Fair Future for Oxford
  08 Dec 2011 13:41
• Draft Budget Appendix 1 (20Kb)
  Summary of Proposed Budget by Service 2012-13 to 2015-16
  08 Dec 2011 14:04
• Draft Budget Appendix 2 (383Kb)
  Detail of General Fund Revenue Budget by Service 2012-13 to 2015-16
  08 Dec 2011 14:48
• Draft Budget Appendix 3 (479Kb)
  Detailed Service Budgets 2012-13 to 2015-16
  08 Dec 2011 14:50
• Draft Budget Appendix 4 (45Kb)
  Oxford City Council's Housing Revenue Account Budget for Consultation
  08 Dec 2011 14:04
• Draft Budget Appendix 5 (11Kb)
  Housing Revenue Account Rent increases by property type
  08 Dec 2011 14:11
• Draft Budget Appendix 6 (15Kb)
  Oxford City Council's Draft Capital Programme 2012-13 to 2015-16
  08 Dec 2011 14:29
• Draft Budget Appendix 7 (31Kb)
  Variations in Fees and Charges
  08 Dec 2011 14:29
• Draft Budget Appendix 8 (13Kb)
  New revenue investment proposals
  08 Dec 2011 14:30
• Draft Budget Appendix 9 (14Kb)
  Risk register
  08 Dec 2011 14:31
• Draft Equalities Impact Assessment (360Kb)
  Appendix 10
  08 Dec 2011 14:33