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Council amended budget agreed
27/02/2024
The Progressive Oxfordshire Alliance amendments were accepted by Conservatives
Cherwell District Council’s budget for 2024-25 was agreed at a full meeting of the Council last night.
The budget, as initially proposed, had been created following a consultation exercise which received responses from 202 people – 165 more than last year.
To achieve the legal requirement of a balanced budget the council found a number of savings and operational efficiencies. These, alongside charge increases, offset the financial challenges local government faces from inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Conservative Councillor Adam Nell, who is the Portfolio Holder for Finance, presented the Council’s plans. These include capital funding of £1.6 million for new 3G synthetic grass sports pitches at the North Oxfordshire Academy, £600,000 to further develop Activity Play Zones, and £125,000 for sustainability projects.
The Progressive Oxfordshire Group of Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Councillors weren’t happy with some of the proposed charge increases.
They tabled an amendment to scrap the proposed introduction of charges for replacement bins, abandoning proposals to increase the recreation fees charged at the North Oxfordshire Academy, Cooper School in Bicester and Stratfield Brake in Kidlington, and keeping open public toilets in Bicester which it had been suggested could be closed. They also wanted to remove an increase in the bulky waste collection fee, but instead introduced a new faster premium service.
But Councillor Hingley said that his real concern was the mid-term picture of the Council’s finances: “A deficit of several million is on the cards, requiring us to make some very tough choices in future.
“If elected to office, we will rise to this challenge and work with officers to conduct a fair investigation of the Council’s position, to make the tough calls, and to get to the bottom of issues such as why Cherwell has been reported to have one of the most indebted debt to income ratios in the country.”
The Alliance’s changes made around £129,000 worth of difference to the budget. Conservative Council Leader Barry Wood described them as “chicken feed”, noting they could be funded through reserves. He indicated that his group would be willing to accept them.
The amended budget was passed with 30 Councillors in favour, 2 abstaining and 14 voting against.
Labour Councillors made up those voting against the plans. Labour Group Leader Councillor Sean Woodcock attacked the Liberal Democrats for, in the main, supporting the Conservative proposals. He hilighted the budget increases in Council Tax, Parking Charges, and garden waste bin collections, alongside cuts in CCTV cameras and less money for Banbury Museum.
Councillor Woodcock said: “It only took four months of David Cameron being back in office for the coalition band to be back together!
“Not voting against the Conservative budget last year, not putting themselves forward to lead the Council in May, and here they are again, propping [the Conservatives] up with this budget.
“Pay more – get less – because that’s what this budget is. Where the Tories lead the Liberal Democrats once again follow.”
As a result of the budget the proportion of the Council Tax charged by Cherwell District Council will increase by £5, resulting in a Band D charge of £153.50 next year.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam