The budget that funds vital public services including waste collections, housing and planning in Cherwell has been agreed.
Published: Tuesday, 25th February 2025
At a full council meeting on Monday, 24 February, Cherwell District Council confirmed a balanced budget of £26.2 million for the 2025/26 financial year.
As the council navigates the challenge of rising costs, the budget includes £1 million of efficiencies to protect frontline services. It also commits to a number of investments in leisure facilities and improving the quality of local housing.
Councillor David Hingley, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a positive and carefully prepared budget which puts our residents first. Like them, the council itself is having to contend with rising costs, but we will always take responsible financial decisions to protect the services everyone relies on.
“To put together this budget, we have identified ways to transform how many of our services operate, to create savings in our revenue budget. At the same time, we are investing to enhance sports and leisure facilities across the district and to provide grants to improve the condition of local housing. All of this will help deliver on our ambitions for communities across Cherwell.”
Councillor Lesley McLean, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, said: “We have thoroughly reviewed every area of the council’s existing expenditure and have refocussed the council’s budget on what matters most to residents. It is a testament to our responsible financial management that, even following years of financial pressure on councils across England, we are delivering a balanced and proactive budget which invests in our communities.”
In the revenue part of the budget, there will be a £5 increase to the district council’s portion of council tax for 2025/26, resulting in a Band D charge of £158.50.
This increase equates to a 3.3 per cent rise, with Cherwell keeping only 6.43 per cent of the total amount of council tax it collects. The rest goes to fund Oxfordshire County Council, town and parish councils, and to the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The capital programme agreed by council includes funding for a series of improvements to sports and community facilities across the district. This makes use of monies secured through Section 106 legal agreements with housing developers.
The budget also earmarks continued funding for grants to support the ongoing improvement of housing in the district, including to help people with disabilities live independently. Additional funding to tackle homelessness and support vulnerable members of the community was also agreed.
The budget was put out to a public consultation held in November and December last year.