Budget Consultation 2023-24

Overview

Every year, we spend around £100 million providing public services that you, your family and friends use every day. Oxford City Council wants to hear from you on its budget proposals for 2023-24.

The Council’s finances continue to be impacted from the fallout from Covid. Car parking income continues to recover but is still less than pre-Covid levels as are town hall bookings and leisure centre attendances. Rental income from shops and offices we own show signs of recovery but arrears accrued over the pandemic period remain difficult to collect. We also face substantial cost pressures, for instance from the rising cost of energy.

The Council has used its reserves to bridge gaps in its finances over the period and further use of reserves remains part of the Budget Strategy with a further £2 million to be used over the coming years. Other components of the strategy include:

• Continue to support our wholly owned companies, OX Place and Oxford Direct Services in delivery of houses and front line services. This will deliver substantial financial returns back to the council.
• Making a further £26 million of efficiencies and increased income from fees and charges leading to ongoing increases of £10 million annually with effect from 2026-27.
• Continue with its approach to service transformation, for instance by reducing our office footprint and encouraging staff to work from home, restructuring management tiers, making new use of technology and improving how these systems operate, reviewing how we procure goods and services and continuing with our progress to enabling access to more services electronically on line and self- service by our customers.  

Reluctantly there are some increases in fees and charges to help bridge the budget gap.

The draft budget proposes a Council Tax rise of 2.99% for the next financial year from April 2023, an increase of £9.76 per year, or 19 pence per week, for the average band D household.  It also proposes a new council tax hardship scheme, continuation of full council tax relief for those on the lowest incomes and charging a 100% council tax premium on second homes when we allowed to do so.

We would like to hear your views on our draft budget and get a deeper understanding of your priorities, needs and aspirations in relation to our services and your community.