Residents invited to help shape West Oxfordshire’s 2026/27 budget and future funding priorities

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, said: 

“We know people care deeply about the services they use every day – from recycling and planning to leisure and housing support. That’s why we want residents to get involved and help shape our budget. 

“We are managing your money responsibly and last year we were very pleased to deliver a balanced budget despite ongoing challenges. We have done this through ongoing efficiencies while also focussing our funding on delivering the priorities that residents told us matter. 

“The feedback provided in last year’s consultation helped us decide where to prioritise our resources and now we want to hear where you think we should focus our funding for the year ahead.” 

The budget consultation gives people a chance to understand how the council is funded, how taxpayers’ money is spent and what services the council is responsible for. It also gives residents a voice in helping to prioritise funding before the budget is agreed early next year. 

The council continues to manage its finances carefully in the face of ongoing pressures. Over the last decade, funding for local authorities has reduced by around 45%. A further cut of up to 7% is expected for 2026/27 due to changes in the way government distributes business rates. Despite this, the council has protected key services and invested in improvements by making efficiencies and income from investments. This includes over £420,000 a year saved by renegotiating recycling contracts, increasing income from the paid business waste service and over £500,000 a year generated by Marriotts Walk shopping centre. 

The council provides over 50 local services such as waste collection, housing support, planning, licensing, and leisure. Other services, like education, road maintenance, and adult social care, are delivered by Oxfordshire County Council. Only around 10% of your council tax goes to West Oxfordshire District Council, and full details can be found on your council tax bill. 

Residents are encouraged to take part in the consultation by completing an online survey. For those unable to access the internet, paper copies are available at Welch Way and Woodgreen council offices. Alternatively, residents can call customer services for help completing the survey over the phone. A briefing has also been sent to all Town and Parish Councils, encouraging them to share the consultation and offer printed copies locally. 

The council’s priorities for next year will continue to focus on planning for a better future, supporting communities, tackling the climate emergency, and delivering high quality services across the district. By working with local partners and carefully managing resources, the council aims to make West Oxfordshire a greener, fairer, and more connected place to live. 

The consultation is now open and will run until 19 December 2025. You can take part at: https://westoxon.gov.uk/budget