Council Tax Rise set at 4.375% (Statement From OCC)

THE County Council has approved the budget put forward by its Cabinet that confirmed the increase in the County Council?s element of Oxfordshire?s council tax at 4.375%.
This is expected to be the lowest rise of any county council in the South East, most of which are predicted to be within the 4.7%-5% range.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Leader of the County Council, said: ?This is good news for the people of Oxfordshire and a good example of the cautious financial management we have brought to bear on the council and its budget process. This is a budget that delivers on the council?s objectives of low taxes, real choice and value for money and, in addition, it is a no cuts budget.

?There is to be real growth in expenditure ? targeted at front-line services. For example, we have sorted out the pressures in Learning Disability and Children?s Services and provided two additional matched funds of