About your Council Tax 2023-24

Cherwell Council Tax 

Message from Cllr Barry Wood, Leader

The big picture

I’m writing to you as the Leader of Cherwell District Council to let you know how we are investing your council tax money and to explain our reasons for raising our portion of it.

Over the previous two years a combination of national and local factors has presented significant financial challenges for councils up and down the country.

Many of these pressures remain and they include uncertainty around the government’s plans on resetting business rates and the winding down of the New Homes Bonus.

We’re additionally facing significant inflationary pressures related to the cost of living and loss of income from our car parks.

As one of the ways to bridge this gap and protect front line services, we are increasing our element of council tax by £5 per year for the average Band D property in 2023/24, which is the maximum amount the government will allow.

Despite the need to offset these budget pressures, we will continue to be a forward-thinking council, and I am pleased that we are able to continue to invest in reducing our carbon emissions; and in some key regeneration projects to strengthen our urban centres.

Looking forward

At Cherwell District Council, we are committed to continuing our work making sure north Oxfordshire remains a great place to live and work, and somewhere where it’s easy to lead a healthy lifestyle.

This year’s council tax rise works out at less than 10p per week and it’s part of our overall plans to keep the public services that you value on a sustainable footing in the years to come.

On these pages you can find out more about what our key goals are, your district council, and how we’re making sure that your council tax money works for you.

with kind regards, Cllr Barry Wood, Leader - Cherwell District Council.

How your Council Tax bill is made up

We collect council tax on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, the town and parishes councils, and ourselves.

We keep 6.62 per cent of that money, using it to provide a huge range of services for over 149,000 residents and businesses in our area. 

These include waste and recycling collections, street cleansing, licensing, planning and environmental health. We also run the housing register, offer support to people who rent their homes; and provide a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

In addition to all of that, we also work to reduce antisocial behaviour and to drive investment and business growth in north Oxfordshire.

How Council Tax funds are divided

Your Council Tax bill is made up of several different amounts of money that go to different organisations:   

• Cherwell District Council (6.62 per cent) 
• Town and parish councils (4.63 per cent)
• Oxfordshire County Council (77.32 per cent)
• Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (11.43 per cent)

Less than 7 per cent of your Council Tax goes to deliver services provided by Cherwell District Council. For a property in band D this is £148.50 per annum.

Our budget 2023/24: £28.2m - where our money comes from

Thirty-three per cent of our funding for services comes directly from Council Tax, with the rest coming from government grants and business rates. 

• Business rates - £17.2m
• Council Tax - £9.3m
• New Homes Bonus - £1.6m
• Revenue Support Grant - £0.1m

How we spend this budget - our strategic priorities

Housing that meets your needs

• Support the delivery of affordable and green housing.
• Ensure minimum standards in rented housing.
• Work with partners supporting new ways to prevent homelessness.
• Support our most vulnerable residents.
• Deliver the Local Plan.

An enterprising economy with strong and vibrant local centres

• Support business retention and growth
• Work with partners to support skills development and innovation.
• Work with others to support growth.
• Work with partners to promote the district as a visitor destination and attract investment in our town centres.
• Work with businesses to ensure compliance and promote best practice.

Healthy, resilient and engaged communities

• Support and encourage active lifestyles and health and wellbeing.
• Support development of leisure services and facilities meeting the needs of residents.
• Support community and cultural development.
• Work towards our commitment to equalities, diversity and inclusion.
• Work with partners to address the causes of health inequality and deprivation.
• Work with partners to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

Council Tax explanatory notes and charges by band for 2023/24

The Council Tax explanatory notes form part of your Council Tax Demand Notice.  Your Council Tax demand or exemption notice shows which band has been allocated to your property.  

View Council Tax Charges 2023-24

Read more about how your Council Tax is calculated.