Budget consultation extended following calls for more time
19/12/2025
“High levels of public interest” have been cited
The deadline to have your say in a consultation on next year’s Cherwell District Council budget has been extended due what the Council’s Chief Executive has described as “the high levels of public interest”.
The consultation was due to conclude today but has now been extended to next Tuesday.
As Banbury FM revealed back in November, in order to balance the books the council is proposing reducing green general waste bins collections to every third week, cutting urban grass verges just 3 or 4 times a year and increasing the cost of the garden waste service.
The established annual reductions in funding for Banbury Museum would continue, with all grants ceasing by 2027. This has led the museum to issue a statement fearing for their ability to survive.
The authority is also asking for the maximum Council Tax increase allowed – £5 for a Band D property – and seeking our views as to whether the government should let them increase it by more than this.
Yesterday Conservative Councillor Kieron Mallon called on the council’s Liberal Democrat Administration to extend the budget consultation period so those who were unaware it was taking place could respond.
Councillor Mallon said: “The run up to Christmas is never a good time for a consultation to take place in any organisation, but especially a council which wants to receive a meaningful response.”
In an email to Councillors sent this morning Chief Executive, Gordon Stewart, said: “Due to the high levels of public interest in our budget consultation we have extended the deadline over the weekend until Tuesday, 23 December. We hope this gives our residents, businesses and partners some extra time to read through the budget proposals and share their views.
“The consultation feedback will be presented to the executive to inform their recommendation to full council.
“The final decision is expected at the full council meeting on 23 February.”
Anyone wishing to have their say can do so here.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Cherwell District Council told Banbury FM they believe the government’s settlement which was announced earlier this week demonstrates a 2.8 percent cash reduction in Cherwell’s core spending power in the year 2026/27 and a 2.6 percent cash reduction by 2028/29. They added it would be more in real terms when inflation was taken into account.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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