Budget Consultation 2024-25

Using our wholly owned company, Oxford Direct Services Ltd to generate more income from external trading Using our wholly owned company Oxford City Housing Ltd to develop social and market housing and deliver financial returns back to the council Increase council tax by the maximum level permitted (2.99% per year) to safeguard services Increasing garden waste charges and car park charges in the city centre by around 5% Change to base council tax support, to those eligible to 85% of the council tax charge from 1-4-2025. Most authorities now require claimants to pay some element of the charge Charging a 100% council tax premium on second homes and properties that have been empty for more than 1 year (currently it is 2 years) from 1-4-2024 Removing the 1-month discount for unfurnished empty homes Reduce the frequency of some street cleansing operations in suburban areas Reduce grass cutting frequencies in small parks from monthly to 6-weekly Use balances and reserves as a one off support for services.