Council tax up and bins collected less frequently – how Cherwell might balance the books
21/11/2025
The council plans to invest £5m in temporary housing to prevent homelessness
Green general waste bins collected every third week, cutting urban grass verges just 3 or 4 times a year and increasing the cost of the garden waste service – that’s three of the ways Cherwell District Council might balance its books next year.
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.
Cherwell says the cost of providing its services is increasing, whilst the money councils receive has not kept pace, leading to an anticipated significant reduction in resources.
By law the council has to produce a balanced budget for 2026 to 2027 and is consulting on a plan which includes £1.785m of savings.
This will be achieved through reductions in grants to the Money Advice Service and Banbury Museum, and reducing landfill waste by only collecting the green waste bin every third week.
Fees for the garden waste service would jump up to £59 next year and £67 in 2027-28, whilst people requesting replacement bins and food waste containers would be required to pay for them.
In urban areas grass verges would be cut 3 or 4 times a year using a different method, rather than the existing 16 to 20 cuts.
Cherwell is intending to spend money in a number of areas, including using £5m to acquire property and invest in new housing to serve as temporary accommodation.
Investment of £1.382m is also planned for remedial works on several properties so they meet Energy Performance Certification requirements, improving visitor access at Castle Quay and replacing the lifts at a Castle Quay car park.
Councillor David Hingley, Leader of the Council, said: “Cherwell manages its finances with great care and foresight but demand for our services is growing and the income we receive does not keep pace.
“The high demand for temporary housing and the cost of introducing kerbside glass collections will put pressure on next year’s budget, and at the same time we are faced with changes to government grant funding which could divert millions of pounds away from our district. As such, I am calling on government to put in place realistic and sustainable funding arrangements so that councils like Cherwell can plan ahead with certainty.
“We will always take responsible financial decisions that protect the key services our residents rely on. Next year’s budget proposals aim to lessen any impact on front line services whilst we push ahead with a transformation programme to make the council as effective and efficient as possible.
“We are a council that listens to its residents and businesses and will be reviewing all of the feedback the public provides in detail before putting forward our final plans. I urge everyone to take part in our consultation and have their say.”
We are invited to have our say on the budget proposals in a consultation, which is open until Friday, December 19.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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Sara Knight On 21/11/2025 at 1:06 pm
So you want to reduce general rubbish waste, to every three weeks That will be lovely in the summer. Cannot wait for rats and smells. Basically, from I take from this, is you want to cut services .that affects more or less 100% of everyone but spend it on matters that do not. You should house the genuine homeless and you should have been always doing that. If you want to cut my services,fine. I will cut my payment of council tax,accordingly. Also, to save money,perhaps not have Bodicote House, lit up like Blackpool illuminations. That must cost an astronomical load of money. Do you keep it heated as well?
Stephen Betts On 21/11/2025 at 4:28 pm
Get your debt mountain reduced
Please tell us you have to pay interest on your foolish borrowing